Lando Norris highlights setback after 'annoying' Baku crash

Lando Norris has conceded he is “behind” in Baku after suffering a crash during the second practice session.

Midway through the 60-minute outing, Norris tapped the wall at Turn 4 and damaged his left rear suspension.

After crawling his way back to the pit lane, McLaren was unable to repair the car in time to send it back out onto the circuit, meaning Norris lost valuable track time. 

Despite the setback, Norris defended his search for the limit during the session.

“A costly one, especially here,” Norris said. “It was feeling good, until then. I'd rather have this - push and find the limits, than not push at all.

“So yeah, it's annoying. I would have liked to get some high fuel laps in, especially on these tyres.

“It's a softer compound, compared to last year, but it is what it is and I'll have to make up for it.

“I have to push right? I'm up against some good guys, so I got to push and find the limit.”

Norris will have just one more practice session on Saturday morning before he enters qualifying, seeking his fifth pole position of the year.

“The track is very different to last year,” Norris stated. “It's quite a bit quicker, and it's a softer compound which we don't use that often. 

“Certainly I'm behind on the learnings now, but it was a scruffy session from both my side and from Oscar's side. He seemed to be struggling a little bit with the car as well. 

“We'll see what we can make up for tomorrow.”

The session was headed by Ferrari as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc ended the session in fifth and second place.

Norris is anticipating the Italian squad, as well as Red Bull, will be in the mix all weekend.

“They were easily the quickest here last year, even though Oscar won,” Norris said.

“Ferrari will be quick. Red Bull is going to be quick. They're never good on a Friday but then they go to sleep and they wake up, and then they're just quick again.

“I expected a challenge from at least three other cars tomorrow.”