At the 2025 Azerbaijan GP, drivers Lando Norris and George Russell were caught laughing uncontrollably moments before the race began, as Azerbaijan’s national anthem played at the Baku City Circuit. The unusual scene unfolded behind the grid kids, young racers enthusiastically singing the anthem, which brought a lighthearted moment during the typically serious pre-race ritual.
This pre-race anthem ceremony is a staple at every Grand Prix weekend, where drivers line up alongside junior drivers or karting talents from the host country. During the 2025 Azerbaijan event, the enthusiasm of the young performers was so infectious that both Norris and Russell, standing just behind them, could not hold back their laughter.
Oscar Piastri was also seen struggling to suppress a smile, while Norris and Russell clearly found the moment amusing, creating a rare glimpse of levity before the high-pressure 51-lap contest.
Contrasting Race Outcomes for Norris and Russell in Baku
Although Norris and Russell shared a jovial moment before the race, their performances during the Azerbaijan GP contrasted sharply. George Russell overcame a challenging start, where he nearly collided with Kimi Antonelli on the first lap, and swiftly moved through the pack to secure a strong second-place finish.
Reflecting on his race, Russell expressed satisfaction with the result despite difficulties that included feeling unwell throughout the weekend.
“I am really happy to be back on the podium. It’s been a tough run of races recently and I also have not felt well this weekend. That made today even more challenging than it could have been, so I am very pleased to finish P2. I was pretty glad when I saw the chequered flag! Congratulations to Carlos (Sainz) and Williams too. That was a very well-deserved result for them,”
he stated.
In contrast, Lando Norris endured a frustrating race after starting seventh on the grid. He tried to overtake drivers such as Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, but a slow pit stop hindered his progress, resulting in him finishing in the same position he began.
Norris shared his thoughts on the weekend’s performance:
“A tricky race and a tricky weekend overall. Today the pace was okay, but not enough to overtake. After not doing a good enough job yesterday, and a lack of real strategy options today, there wasn’t much more we could have done. Frustrating and not how I wanted the weekend to go, but we’ll get our heads down now and look ahead to Singapore.”
Season Context and What Lies Ahead for Both Drivers
Russell’s podium in Baku marked his seventh of the 2025 season, reaffirming his position as a consistent front-runner. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijan race was the second event after Saudi Arabia where Norris crossed the finish line off the podium, indicating a challenging period for the McLaren driver.
Despite their different race outcomes, both drivers demonstrated resilience and determination characteristic of their competitive spirit. As the season progresses, attention will shift to the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, where both Norris and Russell are expected to regroup and strive for improved results after the mixed fortunes in Baku.
