Baku FP2: Russell Leads Mercedes 1-2 as McLaren Search for Pace

FP2 is complete at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix…and George Russell is STILL the man to beat in Baku. After topping FP1, Russell did it again in FP2 with a 1:43.347. Kimi Antonelli made it a Mercedes 1-2, Max Verstappen took P3, Ferrari put both cars inside the top five, and McLaren continued searching for more performance and we also had another Baku red flag. There's plenty to talk about.

George Russell — P1

What a start to the weekend for George Russell.

FP1 — P1

FP2 — P1

His fastest FP2 lap was:

1:43.347

Nobody really got close. Russell finished more than half a second ahead of his Mercedes teammate. Mercedes look seriously quick around Baku.If this continues into FP3 and qualifying? George has to be right in the conversation for pole position.

Kimi Antonelli — P2

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli bounced back from his disrupted FP1 to take P2 and considering the problems he had earlier in the day? That's a strong recovery. His FP1 running had been limited by a hydraulic issue, but Mercedes changed his power unit between sessions using one already in his pool. Once he got going? The pace was there.

P2 — 0.552 seconds behind Russell.

Mercedes finish Thursday with the top two positions. That's a statement.

Max Verstappen — P3

Max Verstappen takes P3 but Max didn't sound completely comfortable. He complained about instability at the rear of the Red Bull during the session and around Baku? That's definitely something you don't want. Despite that, Max was still only the third-fastest driver. If Red Bull can improve the car before qualifying, don't count him out.

Ferrari — P4 & P5

Ferrari had another solid session.

Charles Leclerc — P4

Lewis Hamilton — P5

Both Ferraris finished ahead of McLaren. They weren't able to match Russell's Mercedes, but Ferrari continue to look competitive around this circuit. Leclerc in particular has always been strong around Baku. Could Ferrari get involved in the pole fight? Absolutely possible.

Lando Norris — P6

After finishing P14 in FP1, Lando Norris recovered to:

P6 — 1:44.831

Much better but he was still 1.484 seconds behind Russell. There was potentially more performance available because Lando backed out of a stronger lap.He also had a small brush with the wall. Thankfully, nothing major but McLaren still don't look completely comfortable.

Pierre Gasly — P7

Pierre Gasly puts Alpine into P7. That's a really nice result. With Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren expected to occupy the front positions, Gasly getting himself amongst them is encouraging for Alpine.

Oscar Piastri — P8

Oscar Piastri finishes:

P8 — 1:44.857

 Here's the crazy part. Lando's time:

1:44.831

Oscar's time:

1:44.857

Only 0.026 seconds separated the McLarens! Oscar also sounded more encouraged by the team's long-run performance. So although the one-lap pace wasn't spectacular, there could still be more to come from McLaren.

 Isack Hadjar — P9

Isack Hadjar takes P9 for Red Bull. Another top-ten appearance as he gets himself back into the rhythm of a Grand Prix weekend.

Esteban Ocon — P10

completing the top ten:

Esteban Ocon — Haas

A solid FP2 for Ocon and Haas.

LINDBLAD CRASHES

We also had a big interruption. Arvid Lindblad crashed in the Castle section at Turn 8 and around that part of Baku? There's basically no room for error. Lindblad hit the wall and brought out the red flags. Thankfully, he was okay but his FP2 was over. Another reminder of just how unforgiving Baku can be.

 McLAREN'S CABLE-TIE FIX

 Then we have one of my favourite stories from FP2.McLaren experienced floorboard problems during FP1. Their temporary solution? Plastic cable ties. Yes.A Formula 1 car.Millions spent on development. Some of the smartest engineers in motorsport. Sometimes the answer is still: Cable tiesTo be fair…They worked! Both Lando and Oscar got significantly more running completed in FP2.

 FP2 TOP 10

The top ten:

P1 — George Russell — Mercedes — 1:43.347

P2 — Kimi Antonelli — Mercedes — +0.552

P3 — Max Verstappen — Red Bull — +0.827

P4 — Charles Leclerc — Ferrari — +1.126

P5 — Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari — +1.318

P6 — Lando Norris — McLaren — +1.484

P7 — Pierre Gasly — Alpine

P8 — Oscar Piastri — McLaren — +1.510

P9 — Isack Hadjar — Red Bull

P10 — Esteban Ocon — Haas

Russell's 1:43.347 and the top-five gaps are confirmed by Formula 1's official results.

WHO IMPRESSED ME?

George Russell is the obvious one. Two practice sessions. Two P1s. Mercedes look very strong. Antonelli recovering to P2 after his FP1 problems was impressive too and  Ferrari quietly putting both cars inside the top five makes them interesting heading into qualifying.

WHO HAS WORK TO DO?

McLaren. Definitely. P6 and P8 isn't a disaster but being around 1.5 seconds away from Russell is difficult to ignore. There were reasons to believe their true pace was a little better than the headline times suggested, particularly with Lando abandoning a potentially stronger lap. Still… They needed to find something before qualifying.

FINAL THOUGHTS

George Russell completes a perfect opening day in Baku.

FP1 — P1.

FP2 — P1.

Antonelli puts the second Mercedes P2. Max is lurking in P3. Ferrari have both cars in the top five and McLaren are trying to close the gap. Baku is beginning to take shape but around this circuit? Everything can change VERY quickly. One mistake. One yellow flag. One red flag. One perfectly timed slipstream. and qualifying can be completely transformed. Bring on FP3. On the Pitwall — Lights out. More to talk about.