Oscar Piastri described the Friday practice sessions before the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix as difficult and mixed, preventing him from fully understanding his car’s true pace. Despite the challenges, the Australian racing driver remains optimistic about McLaren’s chances for the weekend’s qualifying and race events during the Azerbaijan practice.
Piastri’s morning run in Free Practice 1 was hindered by power unit troubles that limited his time on track amid several red flags. Although McLaren showed strength by having both drivers near the front—Piastri ended just behind teammate Lando Norris—the technical issues meant he could only complete a limited number of laps, complicating his preparation.
Complications During the Afternoon Practice Increase Pressure on McLaren
The difficulty continued in Free Practice 2, where both McLaren drivers faced setbacks. Norris’ session was cut short when he hit a wall at Turn 4, causing suspension damage that ended his running early. Shortly afterward, Piastri also touched the wall, damaging the right-side tyres, which disrupted his planned runs.
The situation worsened when stewards summoned Piastri for an alleged breach of yellow-flag procedures. Although he received only a reprimand, his first of the season, the event added to the mounting tension. These issues combined to produce a disappointing 12th place result for Piastri in FP2, trailing his teammate by two positions.
Piastri Reflects on Practice Day and Looks Ahead to Qualifying
After the sessions, Piastri summarized his experience:
“Just a bit up and down,” Oscar Piastri said.
“I think the pace is there; it’s just not the easiest to get the most out of it at the moment, so that’s probably just the main thing.” – Oscar Piastri
He acknowledged the trials but emphasized that the team will review their approach overnight, especially considering tyre strategies and other variables that could alter performance for qualifying and the race.
“We tried a few things in FP2; I’m sure we will look back and see what we can change for tomorrow, but I think it’s going to be a bit different with tyre choices and things like that,” he explained.
“I think there’s still a lot of positives from today, just a few tricky moments.” – Oscar Piastri
McLaren Eyes Significant Gains as Championship Battles Intensify
This weekend is critically important for McLaren as the team aims to reclaim the World Constructors’ Championship after a strong 2024 season. A 1-3 finish by the McLaren drivers at the Azerbaijan GP would secure this key goal for F1 2025.
The battle for the drivers’ championship is intensifying, with Piastri leading at 324 points, holding a 31-point advantage over Norris. Still, the competition remains fierce, and any setbacks during this event could shift momentum in favor of the British driver. With fewer races left in the season, maintaining composure during challenging sessions like those experienced on Friday will be vital for both drivers.
As Piastri and McLaren work through their difficulties, the upcoming qualifying and race sessions in Baku will be pivotal in shaping the remainder of the championship fight and the team’s overall success this season.
