Max Verstappen took pole position for the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a chaotic qualifying with red flags, rain, and crashes. Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri both hit the wall, while Lando Norris, fastest early on, slipped to seventh only. Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson will start alongside Verstappen at the front.
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Q1
Leclerc opened with a 1:41.982 on soft tyres and set the first fastest lap at the start of qualifying. Then Albon caused the first short red flag period after touching the wall at Turn 1 and breaking his car’s front-left suspension. After a few minutes, the red flag was out again—this time for Hulkenberg, who crashed. The German was able to continue after a front wing change.
The cars returned to the track for the final six minutes of Q1, and every driver improved their times. Norris was fastest, ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc. In the final seconds, Colapinto crashed, bringing out the third red flag.
Out: Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Gasly, Albon
Q2
Bearman hit the wall at Turn 2, breaking his rear-right suspension, and the red flag was shown again. The first flying laps were set around halfway through the session, with Norris leading on a 1:41.396, followed by Russell and Antonelli.
Leclerc made two mistakes on his fast laps, leaving him with just one chance to complete a clean run on mediums, he ended up one-tenth slower compare to the leader. Hamilton also struggled and dropped out in 12th. At the end, Verstappen improved significantly to set the fastest time.
Out: Alonso, Hamilton, Bortoleto, Stroll, Bearman
Q3
Russell made a mistake on his flying lap, which also distracted Norris. Just as the rain began to fall. Leclerc then crashed at Turn 15, bringing out yet another red flag. At that point, Sainz was leading, followed by Lawson and Hadjar. During the interruption, the rain got heavier, but only temporarily.
With seven minutes remaining, the session restarted and flying laps resumed, but Piastri crashed at Turn 3, causing another red flag.
Less than four minutes were left when the track went green again, and the final shootout began. Verstappen secured pole position, with Sainz 2nd and Lawson 3rd. Norris ended up only 7th.
The full results of the qualifying according to FIA.com:
