Luke Browning demonstrated impressive pace in the opening F2 Free Practice session at the 2025 Azerbaijan GP in Baku, securing the fourth fastest time for Hitech TGR in Round 12. The British driver began his session with a bang, showcasing his speed early on with a blistering first lap time of 1:58.407, putting him over a second clear of the rest of the field.
Browning’s impressive opening stint
From the very beginning, Browning was a consistent presence at the top of the timesheets. His first push lap set a high benchmark, and throughout the session, he maintained a solid position near the front. His personal best time of 1:55.869 came before he made a return to the pit lane, a sign of his strong pace.
“We looked quite good, I think,” said Browning, reflecting on his early pace after the morning’s F2 Free Practice session in Baku. “The first lap out there we had a good gap, the first lap was over a second quicker than everybody else, so that felt nice around this low-grip street circuit.”
Browning’s performance throughout the session was highly encouraging, as he was consistently among the quickest drivers, but his day was not without its setbacks.
Setback on second run: Wide at Turn 1
After returning to the track for his second run, Browning encountered an issue at Turn 1. He ran wide and was unable to improve his lap time. Despite this, he still managed to finish in fourth place, an impressive result considering the challenges he faced in the latter half of the session.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get a lap on the second run, so I didn’t manage to improve when everybody else did,” Browning explained. “But the car was fantastic today, Hitech did a great job.”
Although disappointed not to have improved on his earlier lap, Browning remained positive about the car’s performance and the session overall.
Our Championship top 2 in Practice… 👀
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Hitech impresses in Free Practice
Browning’s strong performance in the F2 Free Practice session in Baku was mirrored by his teammate, Dino Beganovic, who finished in third place, just 0.058 seconds behind the leader, Alexander Dunne, who set a fastest time of 1:55.720. As a team, Hitech showed great potential, with both drivers showcasing strong pace throughout the session. Browning credited much of the team’s success to the cohesive working relationship between himself and the Hitech crew.
“Honestly, I think a lot of it is down to the cohesiveness of how we are working together,” Browning shared. “I think we all feel connected, the guys have put a great car down, and me and Dino are working on ourselves a lot between each event, and that’s where you are seeing the progression come from.”
High hopes for pole position in Qualifying
Looking ahead to Qualifying, Browning remains optimistic about his chances of securing a second consecutive pole position. His recent victory at Monza, where he converted pole into a win, has boosted his confidence ahead of the upcoming sessions in Baku. However, Browning is aware that Qualifying will bring a new set of challenges, particularly with the change in tire compounds.
“A massive difference,” Browning commented when asked about the change from Soft to Supersoft tires. “You will probably see quite a big jump going into quali, and maybe a balance change too, so you could see guys who have struggled on the Soft tyres be quick on the supersofts.”
The shift to Supersoft tyres is expected to bring significant changes in car balance, and Browning will need to adjust his driving style to make the most of the new rubber.
The importance of teamwork and balance
Baku’s notoriously challenging street circuit demands a finely tuned car and a driver who is in perfect sync with their team. Browning recognised the crucial role of communication with his engineer and the overall team dynamic in achieving success.
“Here is so balance dependent, you have to be so in tune with your engineer, in tune with the team and in tune with how you are affecting the car,” Browning said. “Who knows what quali will be like, but it’s a nice start to the weekend.”
As he looks ahead to Qualifying, Browning remains hopeful for a smooth and successful session. “I hope it’s a clean session. Just get round, everyone qualifies where they should and then let’s see how it goes,” he concluded.
