BAKU – Lando Norris, McLaren’s Formula One driver and a contender in the championship battle, managed to move up one spot to 15th on the starting grid for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This came after Mercedes decided to change the power unit in Lewis Hamilton’s car, leading the seven-time world champion to start from the pit lane.
Hamilton had initially secured the seventh spot in qualifying, just behind Red Bull’s championship leader, Max Verstappen. However, due to the decision to swap out his power unit, Hamilton now joins Alpine’s Esteban Ocon at the back of the grid, as both drivers will begin the race from the pit lane after exceeding their power unit allocation for the season.
In addition to the engine change, Mercedes made other alterations to the setup of Hamilton’s car. These modifications were noted in a report from the FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer, who referred the situation to the stewards for further review.
“ Lewis will be starting from the hole lane moment due to taking a new power unit, ” verified a prophet for Mercedes. “ We were apprehensive of the need to introduce a new power unit for Lewis at some stage this season, especially after we lost one earlier in Australia. We’ve decided that moment is the optimal time to make that change. ”
Norris, meanwhile, had faced his own set of challenges in Saturday’s qualifying session. The McLaren driver had set his sights on a stronger performance, but his plans were disrupted by a yellow flag during his final flying lap in the opening round of qualifying. As a result, Norris could only manage to qualify in 17th position. However, he later advanced to 16th after Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was disqualified due to irregularities with his car’s fuel flow.
Norris’ move to 15th came after Mercedes opted to swap Hamilton’s power unit. While it might not seem like a significant jump, every position counts for the McLaren driver, who currently sits second in the driver’s championship standings. Despite this, he remains a considerable 62 points behind Verstappen, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is shaping up to be a tough race of damage control for the Briton.
The Baku street circuit is known for its unpredictability and the potential for overtaking, giving Norris and the McLaren team some hope that they can salvage valuable points. While he may not be starting near the front, Baku’s long straights and the frequent chaos of the race could present opportunities for Norris to climb through the field.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed pole position in a tightly contested qualifying session, while Norris’ McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, put in an impressive performance to line up on the front row alongside Leclerc. The result marked a strong showing for the McLaren team, with Piastri potentially in the mix for a podium finish or even a win at a track that often delivers surprises.
Meanwhile, Mercedes’ decision to change Hamilton’s power unit signals a strategic move by the team as they look to manage his resources for the remainder of the season. The power unit is a crucial component in a Formula One car, and drivers are limited in how many they can use throughout the season before penalties come into play. After losing a unit earlier in the year, Mercedes had to carefully plan when to introduce a new one for Hamilton.
For Hamilton, starting from the pit lane in Baku is a major setback. The circuit’s tight corners and long straights offer overtaking opportunities, but starting so far back will make it difficult for him to challenge the front runners. Nonetheless, Hamilton has shown time and again that he can overcome such challenges, and fans will be eager to see how far up the grid he can climb.
Despite these challenges, both Hamilton and Norris are expected to fight hard to recover positions during the race. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is known for its high drama, often featuring safety cars, collisions, and unexpected twists that can turn the race on its head. This unpredictability may provide both drivers with the chance to salvage strong finishes.
As the championship battle heats up, every point is critical for Norris as he looks to close the gap to Verstappen. Though the odds are stacked against him in Baku, the McLaren driver will be hoping to make the most of any opportunities that arise during the race.
For Hamilton, Sunday’s race will be all about damage limitation and ensuring he can minimize the impact of his pit lane start on his championship hopes. With Mercedes continuing to work on optimizing their car’s performance, Hamilton’s experience and skill could still see him challenge for points despite the setback.
With Leclerc on pole and Piastri close behind, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be an exciting affair, with plenty of intrigue both at the front and further down the grid. All eyes will be on how Norris and Hamilton navigate the challenging Baku circuit and whether they can turn their misfortunes into opportunities.