The streets of Baku, Azerbaijan, have once again delivered a potent cocktail of speed, drama, and strategic intrigue, with Ferrari emerging from the opening day of the 2025 Formula 1 season’s practice sessions with a commanding presence. Under the scorching Azerbaijani sun, the Scuderia appeared to have found a rhythm that eluded many of their rivals, showcasing a blend of raw pace and impressive consistency that has set the paddock abuzz. At the heart of this early dominance was none other than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who, in his inaugural season with the Italian giants, topped the second practice session, signaling a formidable partnership that could redefine the championship landscape.

Hamilton’s performance in FP2 was a masterclass, meticulously navigating the tight, unforgiving street circuit with a precision that belied the challenging conditions. He edged out his teammate, Charles Leclerc, by just over a tenth of a second, cementing Ferrari’s one-two punch at the top of the time sheets. This wasn’t merely a flash of single-lap brilliance; both drivers exhibited a level of comfort and control with the SF-25 that contrasted sharply with their own struggles in FP1 and the visible difficulties faced by other top contenders. The transformation from FP1, where the cars seemed to be “driving on ice,” to the poised and planted machines of FP2, suggests that Ferrari’s engineers successfully unlocked a crucial setup window, allowing their drivers to exploit the car’s full potential.

Beyond the headline-grabbing lap times, the true narrative of Ferrari’s impressive day lies in their underlying race pace. While Friday practice sessions are notoriously difficult to decipher due to varying fuel loads, engine modes, and tire management strategies, the long run simulations painted an astonishingly optimistic picture for the Maranello-based squad. Surprisingly, even against strong contenders like George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, Ferrari’s simulations indicated they possessed the strongest race pace on the grid. Russell and Antonelli, for instance, were reportedly lapping nearly eight to nine-tenths of a second behind the pace set by Hamilton and Leclerc. Similar gaps, albeit slightly smaller, were observed with Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, and Yuki Tsunoda, who trailed by half a second to seven-tenths. Such a significant advantage, if sustained, would position Ferrari as the clear favorites for Sunday’s Grand Prix, a prospect that few would have predicted with such confidence before the weekend.

This unexpected advantage raises intriguing questions about tire compound choices, a factor that is often pivotal in Baku given the circuit’s unique demands. Early observations from FP2 suggested an interesting dynamic concerning the medium and soft tire compounds. During the initial qualifying simulations, Hamilton was two-tenths quicker than Leclerc on his soft tire run. However, in the subsequent and final qualifying simulation, both drivers on soft tires, Leclerc found an impressive four-tenths of a second improvement, while Hamilton only gained two-tenths. This disparity hints at two critical insights: firstly, the medium tire may, in fact, be quicker over a single lap than the soft tire on this particular circuit. Secondly, the track evolution was not as dramatic as typically seen in previous Baku weekends, meaning early pace might be more indicative of inherent car performance rather than rapidly improving conditions.

The implication of this tire conundrum is profound, pointing towards potentially divergent qualifying strategies for Saturday. Teams, particularly Ferrari and Mercedes, known for their meticulous detail orientation, are expected to come into qualifying with a minimum of two new sets of medium tires for Q2 and Q3. This strategic flexibility could prove decisive in a session where marginal gains can mean the difference between pole position and a mid-pack start.

While Ferrari celebrated a near-perfect opening day, other teams found themselves grappling with significant challenges. Most notably, the McLaren duo experienced a particularly turbulent FP2. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri endured major slides, with Norris suffering a critical moment that resulted in a broken rear-left suspension on his MCL39. This incident not only curtailed his ability to set a competitive quick lap but, more importantly, prevented him from completing crucial long runs. For a driver like Norris, currently embroiled in a demanding world championship pursuit, missing out on such vital data represents a significant setback, making an already difficult championship bid even more arduous.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull, traditionally formidable on any given weekend, appeared somewhat subdued by their usual standards. While their pace wasn’t disastrous, they didn’t display the outright dominance often associated with the reigning champions. However, as is often the case with Red Bull, Friday struggles frequently transform into Saturday qualifying brilliance, with Verstappen consistently “delivering the goods” when it counts. It would be a monumental error to discount them from podium contention or even a race victory come Sunday. The expectation is that Red Bull will meticulously analyze their data overnight and return with a car capable of challenging Ferrari’s supremacy.

Beyond the front-runners, the mid-field also offered glimpses of interesting performances and potential pitfalls. Williams Racing, often an underdog, seemed poised to make a strong showing, potentially challenging for the back end of the top ten. Haas also demonstrated surprisingly good form on Friday, suggesting they could be a dark horse for points. Conversely, Aston Martin appears to be facing a disastrous weekend. The AMR25’s high drag levels are proving to be a significant impediment on Baku’s long straights, making it highly unlikely they will contend for meaningful results. Their focus will likely shift to damage limitation and looking ahead to circuits like Singapore, where their car’s characteristics might be better suited.

Race pace, the ultimate determinant of Sunday’s success, remains intricately linked to setup strategies. Lewis Hamilton, for example, ran with a more loaded rear wing compared to Charles Leclerc in FP2. This configuration provided Hamilton with superior grip and speed through Sector 2’s twisty, medium-to-high-speed corners. However, this choice comes with a caveat in race conditions, particularly concerning the ever-present DRS train in Baku. To avoid becoming a “sitting duck” on the long back straight when DRS is activated, a driver needs to open up a one-second gap to escape the detection zone. Teams will need to weigh the advantages of cornering speed against the critical importance of straight-line speed to defend against DRS overtakes. Ferrari, for instance, might opt to adjust Hamilton’s setup to a less loaded rear wing in FP3 to gain more straight-line speed, especially in the final sector, to better combat the inevitable DRS trains.

In conclusion, Friday’s practice in Azerbaijan painted a picture of Ferrari’s might, spearheaded by Lewis Hamilton’s impressive pace and the team’s seemingly superior race simulation data. While the initial signs are overwhelmingly positive for the Scuderia, Formula 1 is a sport where fortunes can turn rapidly. Other teams, particularly Red Bull and Mercedes, will undoubtedly be burning the midnight oil, meticulously analyzing data to close the gap. The intrigue surrounding tire strategies, the delicate balance of aerodynamic setups, and the ever-present threat of a Max Verstappen comeback promise a fascinating qualifying session and an even more enthralling race. Baku has set the stage for a truly captivating weekend, where Ferrari has laid down a formidable gauntlet, but the battle for victory is far from over.