Last Updated on September 19 2025, 9:55 pm
The build-up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix took an unexpected turn on 19 September 2025 when both McLaren drivers collided with the unforgiving barriers around the streets of Baku during the second free practice session. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, separated by just over thirty points in the Drivers’ Championship, compromised their cars within minutes of each other on a day when Ferrari made a strong statement.
While Ferrari ended the day on top, with Lewis Hamilton narrowly ahead of Charles Leclerc, attention inevitably turned to McLaren. They arrived in Baku with a dominant lead in the constructors’ standings, with the possibility of clinching the title with seven races still to go.
However, despite their impressive performance throughout the season, tensions within the team have escalated since Monza, where strategic decisions have reignited the debate about whether McLaren should prioritise one driver’s championship bid over the other’s.
McLaren collide with Baku walls
The demanding layout of Baku, with its long straights, tight corners, and unforgiving walls, has historically punished even minor errors. Norris was the first to make a mistake, brushing the wall at the exit of turn four. His rear-left tyre bore the brunt of the impact, forcing him to limp back to the pits for inspection.
Engineers will spend the evening assessing whether deeper damage has been sustained to the suspension or gearbox.
Barely six minutes later, Oscar Piastri misjudged the exit of the final corner and hit the barriers himself. Unlike Norris, he was able to continue after a check in the garage and managed to complete additional laps late in the session. Piastri ultimately finished twelfth and Norris tenth, both well adrift of the leading pace. While their incidents did not prevent McLaren from gathering data, they highlighted the intense rivalry between the two drivers.
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Ferrari stamped their authority on practice
While McLaren struggled, Ferrari delivered a dominant performance. Hamilton had brushed the barriers at turn five earlier and had a tricky start to the day, locking up and going onto the escape road at turn seven. Yet, as the sun dropped towards the horizon of the Caspian Sea, the seven-time world champion found his rhythm. His late flyer edged out Leclerc by just seventy-four thousandths of a second, ensuring Ferrari took the top two spots on the grid.
The Scuderia’s lead over the rest was striking. George Russell and Mercedes protégé Kimi Antonelli finished third and fourth, more than four tenths adrift, while Haas driver Oliver Bearman took fifth ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, delivering another eye-catching display. For Ferrari, who have enjoyed a strong run of form in qualifying at Baku recently, the session provided fresh evidence that they may finally be able to turn their single-lap prowess into race-winning results.
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McLaren’s championship balancing act
This weekend, McLaren have the chance to secure the constructors’ championship with an unprecedented seven rounds to spare. This would be a remarkable achievement for Andrea Stella’s team. However, the bigger story lies in whether Norris or Piastri will be the driver to deliver McLaren their first title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
The fallout from Monza remains a live talking point. There, a slow pit stop dropped Norris behind his team-mate, and McLaren controversially instructed Piastri to step aside to hand second place to the British driver. While both drivers publicly backed the decision, it fuelled speculation that McLaren were tacitly siding with Norris in the title race. This incident has intensified the spotlight on the team, whose commitment to equal treatment of their drivers is being challenged by the intense competition for the championship title.
Team principal Andrea Stella was keen to emphasise that the team’s approach would not change: “Our approach to the drivers’ title will not change. This is not dependent on the constructors’,” he explained.
“The way we race depends on our racing principles and the values we embody as McLaren. It also reflects our desire to protect the unity of the team, which is essential for our future.”
Stella emphasised that every race weekend prompts a review of the team’s operations, but that the conclusion after Monza was clear. “We did the same after Monza, and we can confirm that we operated in the way we intended,” Stella said.
Pressure mounts inside the garage
For Lando Norris, the events of Friday practice added to the sense of unease. While he has been consistent throughout the season, his younger teammate has often had the upper hand. Piastri’s thirty-one-point lead is significant but not insurmountable, and every session between now and the finale will count. Today’s crashes may not cost them outright pace on Sunday, but they highlight the fine margins that could decide the championship.
McLaren’s internal rivalry is taking place amid a Ferrari resurgence and the lingering presence of Verstappen. Although Verstappen and Red Bull have not dominated as they have in previous years, the Dutchman is still capable of achieving decisive results. If McLaren’s drivers continue to undermine each other, rivals will have the opportunity to capitalise on this.
Looking ahead to qualifying
With Ferrari in the lead, the stage is set for a tense qualifying session. Leclerc has secured the last four pole positions in Baku, a circuit where track position is crucial despite the long main straight. If Ferrari can convert their practice pace into a front-row lockout, McLaren will have a tough time recovering over the course of the weekend.
However, as Friday demonstrated, nothing can be taken for granted in Azerbaijan. The narrow confines, unpredictable winds and heavy braking zones frequently lead to incidents and safety cars. McLaren’s title-chasing duo will be aware that, although today’s errors were costly in terms of confidence, there is still ample opportunity to recover before Sunday’s race. The question is whether they can do so without further inflaming tensions within the team.
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The Judge’s verdict
The story of the weekend has shifted dramatically even before qualifying has begun. McLaren’s chance of an early constructors’ championship victory is being overshadowed by the battle between their two drivers, both of whom made costly errors on a day when Ferrari took control. Hamilton’s fastest time was a reminder of his ability to perform well, while Leclerc remains a potent force on these streets.
McLaren’s immediate concern is repairing the damage to their cars and ensuring that both drivers have the confidence to attack in qualifying. However, the deeper issue that will define the rest of this season is whether Norris and Piastri can coexist as genuine title contenders without jeopardising the unity that Stella claims is central to McLaren’s resurgence.
And so, the jury is out. Can McLaren keep their team together under the strain of a two-way title fight, or will the pressure of Baku’s walls prove symbolic of a season that could yet fall apart?
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A senior writer at TJ13, C.J. Alderson serves as Senior Editor and newsroom coordinator, with a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing. Alderson’s professional training in media studies and experience managing content teams ensures TJ13 maintains consistency of voice and credibility. During race weekends, Alderson acts as desk lead, directing contributors and smoothing breaking stories for publication.
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
