Lewis Hamilton fronted a Ferrari 1-2 during second practice for Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix as both McLaren drivers hit the wall.
Hamilton had opted for Medium tyres for his first runs, trailing Soft-shod Charles Leclerc by two-tenths of a second, before he moved clear after his own effort on the softest compound.
Hamilton’s lap of 1:41.293s put him 0.074s clear of team-mate Leclerc, who has topped each of the last five qualifying and sprint qualifying sessions around the streets of Baku.
Runaway title leaders McLaren had a scrappy session as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri hit the wall.
Norris, having brushed the wall exiting Turn 2, slid wide through Turn 4 and made substantial contact, causing damage to the left-rear of the car.
Norris was able to return the crabbing MCL39 to the pit lane but played no further role in the session.
Piastri brushed the barriers exiting the tricky Turn 15 and abandoned his push lap, returning to the pits for a quick check-over, and was able to continue his programme.
But Piastri’s subsequent lap was good enough only for 12th, two spots behind Norris, while he also faces an investigation for an alleged yellow flag infringement.
Mercedes wound up third and fourth, four tenths of a second behind the Ferrari drivers, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli split by just 0.009s.
Haas vaulted up the order during the closing stages as Oliver Bearman, who twice went up the Turn 8 escape road, used Medium tyres to take a surprise fifth, with Esteban Ocon eighth.
Max Verstappen was sixth for Red Bull, with Racing Bulls stablemate Liam Lawson in seventh spot.
Alex Albon finished in ninth for Williams while his team-mate, Carlos Sainz, split the McLaren duo in 11th place.
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