Lando Norris admitted frustration after crashing out of Friday practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, describing the incident as “costly” in a session where Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton stole the spotlight.
The Briton lost control at Turn Four at the start of his qualifying simulation run, striking the barrier and breaking his left rear suspension. Norris limped back to the pits but could not take further part, leaving him down in 10th place by the end of the session.
The setback proved damaging for McLaren’s preparations. Norris missed the critical high-fuel runs late in the day, when teams typically gather valuable long-run data to assess race pace. The 24-year-old acknowledged the missed opportunity, stressing the need to find the limit even if mistakes happen.
“A costly one, especially here,” Norris reflected. “It was feeling good until then. I’d rather have this and push to find the limits than not push at all. Annoying, but I have to keep pushing. I would have liked to get some high-fuel laps in, especially on these softer tyres compared to last year.”
McLaren’s session became more complicated as Oscar Piastri also brushed the wall, although the Australian avoided damage. He finished only 12th fastest, underlining a challenging day for the Woking-based team.
The timing of the setback could not be worse for McLaren. They hold a commanding lead in the constructors’ championship and could secure the title this weekend if they outscore Ferrari by nine points. But Friday’s difficulties raise concerns about their readiness for Sunday’s race.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton showcased strong form in Baku, topping the timesheets and leading a Ferrari one-two. Charles Leclerc followed closely, underlining Ferrari’s intent to push McLaren to the limit in the final stretch of the season.
Norris currently trails his teammate Piastri by 31 points in the drivers’ standings, with eight races remaining. The margin adds further urgency to his need for a clean weekend, as McLaren balance individual ambitions with their team objectives.
Despite the crash, Norris remained determined to extract the positives. “I’d rather know where the limit is now than discover it in qualifying or the race,” he said, hinting at renewed focus for Saturday’s running.
With Hamilton and Ferrari in strong early form, McLaren face an uphill task to regain momentum. For Norris, avoiding repeat mistakes will be key to both his personal title challenge and McLaren’s bid to seal the constructors’ crown.
