Hamilton: Really happy we're starting to see the progress

Seven-times Formula 1 world champion Hamilton, yet to stand on a Grand Prix podium since he joined Ferrari in January, lapped the Baku street circuit in 1:41.293 seconds in the second session. Teammate Leclerc, on pole position in Baku for the past four seasons without once winning the race, was 0.074 slower.

McLaren had finished one-two in the FP1 session, with Norris ahead of championship leader Piastri while Hamilton clipped the barriers, suffered a puncture and damaged his car's front wing.

After FP2 in Baku, Hamilton said of a session that was halted for some 25 minutes to repair kerb damage: "I would say FP1 was a bit of a mess. This is a circuit where you have to have mega confidence on the brakes and I had some problems with the brakes.

"We made some changes going into P2 and the brakes finally were working perfect and I was able to really make some big advantage in terms of gaining on the brakes. Really happy to see the progress ... we're really starting to see the progress come through," declared Hamilton.

Later in the Ferrari report summing up their Friday in Baku, the seven-time F1 World Champion added: "Overall, it was a constructive day. The first session was challenging as I needed to get used to the brakes, but we made some good changes for FP2.

"The car felt much better, everything started to come together, and my confidence grew lap by lap. It was really positive to have such a strong second session, probably my best FP2 of the year so far, and shows the progress we’re making.

"There are still a few areas we can improve for tomorrow, but I believe we’re moving in the right direction," concluded Hamilton after his better FP2 sessions as a Ferrari driver thus far.

Teammate Leclerc was optimistic too: "I think there’s more potential this weekend. I did a solid job today, but I want to extract more. Our competitors seem to be very strong, and I expect to see some surprises in qualifying.

"But anything can happen on this track, so we will see what’s on the cards. We’ll fight for a good starting position,: ventured the Monegasque, who is without a win for over a year now.