Verstappen tops wild Baku qualifying after Piastri crashes out

Baku Qualifying Report

Max Verstappen clinched pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a time of 1:41.117 amidst a tense qualifying session marred by a record six red flags. Verstappen will be joined on the front row by Carlos Sainz, who achieved his best qualifying result since the 2022 Qatar Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, faced a setback when a high-speed error at Turn 3 led to a significant crash, forcing him to start ninth. This marks a stark contrast to his previous season performances, where he had not started lower than fourth. His teammate, Lando Norris, qualified seventh, just ahead of Piastri.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, aiming for a fifth consecutive pole, ended his session prematurely due to a crash at Turn 15, contributing to Ferrari’s disappointing day, which also saw Lewis Hamilton miss Q3 and qualify in 12th after a misguided tire strategy.

The chaotic session included multiple red flags triggered by crashes, including those of Piastri and Leclerc. Sainz, who initially set the benchmark time, could not retain pole as Verstappen excelled on his final lap, while Norris’s efforts to challenge ultimately fell short when he clipped the barriers.

Verstappen commented, “It was very difficult to get your lap together, especially with the rain. I’m very happy with how the weekend has been progressing.”

Sainz reflected positively, stating, “We nailed qualifying, and the car’s speed was there when it mattered,” while achieving a significant front-row start for Williams since the 2021 Belgian GP.

Liam Lawson secured a career-best third, showcasing strong form throughout the session. Mercedes drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell qualified fourth and fifth, respectively, though Antonelli may face scrutiny over a potential yellow flag infringement.