Max Verstappen clinched pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a qualifying session defined by chaos, adverse weather, and a record number of red-flag stoppages. The Dutch driver delivered a commanding performance on the challenging Baku street circuit, while his main championship rivals faltered.
The session, which extended to two hours, was interrupted six times as drivers struggled with gusty winds and light rain. Seven competitors, including McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, crashed out, leaving the grid with several unexpected names near the front.
Verstappen acknowledged the difficulty of the conditions, noting the impact of strong winds and frequent interruptions. Despite the challenges, he produced a flawless final lap to secure his first pole in Baku.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz secured a surprising second place, with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson taking third—his best-ever qualifying result. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Piastri could only manage seventh and ninth, respectively, after both made costly errors in the closing moments.
Piastri, who leads the championship, admitted to braking too late and hitting the wall, while Norris also brushed the barriers on his final attempt. The outcome leaves both with a significant challenge to catch Verstappen in Sunday’s race.
Lewis Hamilton qualified 12th for Ferrari, expressing disappointment after showing improved form earlier in the weekend. Teammate Leclerc will start 10th, while Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell secured fourth and fifth.
With an unpredictable grid and changeable conditions forecast, the stage is set for a tense and potentially decisive grand prix.
