Lando Norris has topped the timesheets in a dramatic Free Practice 3 session ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri as teams made their final preparations for qualifying.
The McLaren driver clocked an impressive 1:41.223, finishing 0.222 seconds ahead of Verstappen, with Piastri completing the top three. The session unfolded under dry conditions, but drivers had to contend with high winds and a low-grip track, following heavy overnight rain that washed away the rubber laid down on September 19, The Caspian Post reports via local media.
Early in the session, Ollie Bearman was the first to go off-track, running wide at Turn 4 and commenting on team radio: “It’s challenging with this wind.” The turbulent conditions kept most drivers in the garage for the first 20 minutes.
Norris, who had lost valuable track time in FP2 after hitting the wall, was among the first to set a competitive lap, bolting on soft Pirelli tyres. His teammate Piastri also hit the track early as both McLaren drivers looked to make up for disrupted Friday sessions.
Charles Leclerc, who has secured pole in Baku four times, set an early benchmark of 1:43.048, despite a deep run at the final braking zone. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton recovered from an off at Turn 3 to briefly top the session with a 1:42.988, still well off the pace from FP2.
As track conditions improved in the second half of the session, lap times began to tumble. Leclerc lowered the benchmark to 1:42.354 and had a close call with the wall at Turn 7, while Liam Lawson brought drama with a full 360-degree spin at Turn 16.
Verstappen then became the first to dip below the 1:42 mark, setting a 1:41.727 during his qualifying simulation run. However, it was Norris who ultimately claimed top honors in FP3 with a blistering 1:41.223, the fastest time of the weekend so far.
Championship leader Piastri had a scruffy session, suffering oversteer at Turn 4 and later locking up into Turn 1. Although he managed to recover and post a solid lap, he was still over two-tenths behind his teammate and settled for third. Verstappen split the McLaren duo, while Hamilton slotted into fourth.
The top six was rounded out by Mercedes teammates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, with Alex Albon (Williams), Ollie Bearman (Haas), Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), and Leclerc completing the top 10.
Just outside the top 10 was Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), followed by Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber), Carlos Sainz (Williams), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), and Franco Colapinto (Alpine).
The bottom five were made up of Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull), Esteban Ocon (Haas), Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).
With gusty winds and unpredictability adding to the drama, all eyes now turn to Qualifying, where pole position could prove critical on Baku’s high-speed street circuit.
