Photo: Race Pictures

Norris expects tough Baku battle: 'Red Bull wake up and will be quick'

15:46, 19 Sep

Updated: 15:51, 19 Sep

byKada Sarkozi

Lando Norris has reacted to the incident that damaged his suspension in FP2 of the Azerbaijan GP. He also looked ahead in terms of who could be McLaren's rivals this weekend.

Red Bull are going to be quick. They never good on Friday, they go to sleep and they wake up and then they're just quick again.

- Lando Norris to F1 TV

Lando Norris returning to the pit lane after damaging his suspension - Photo: Race Pictures

Around the halfway point of the afternoon session at the Baku City Circuit, the McLaren driver hit the wall in Turn 4.

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It was a 'costly' mistake, the Briton admitted to F1 TV after the session. "I was feeling good until then, so I'd rather have this and push and find the limits than not push at all.

"I would have liked to get some high fuel laps in especially on these tyres, the softer compound compared to last year but it is what it is and I'd love to make up for it," he explained.

According to Norris, he is now on in a difficult situation, given that the track is different with the compounds used this weekend, but he saw his teammate and championship rival, Oscar Piastri, also struggle.

"I'm behind on the learnings now. A scrappy session, from my side, I think from Oscar's side [too], he seemed to be struggling a little bit with the car as well. So we'll see what we can make up for tomorrow."

'Red Bull always wake up on Saturday'

Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend, the Briton expects both Ferraris and Max Verstappen to be in the battle for the top prizes.

"Ferrari were easily the quickest here last year. Even though the Oscar won. I think Ferrari will be quick."

He continued: "Red Bull are going to be quick. They never good on Friday, they go to sleep and they wake up and then they're just quick again. I expect a challenge from at least three other cars tomorrow."

After topping the first practice session of the day, Norris finished 10th in FP2 with his incident in Turn 4.

The weekend continues tomorrow with the final practice session, starting at 9:30 BST.