Verstappen takes Azerbaijan GP pole as Sainz starts second in chaotic Baku qualifying

Max Verstappen secured Azerbaijan GP pole ahead of Carlos Sainz after rain, crashes, and multiple red flags.

Max Verstappen secured pole position for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix after an incident-filled qualifying session in Baku.

The Red Bull driver delivered a clean final lap despite difficult conditions to edge out Carlos Sainz, who will line up second on the grid in his Williams. Liam Lawson impressed by placing third for Racing Bulls, while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli produced a strong performance to take fourth. George Russell will start fifth, followed by Yuki Tsunoda in sixth for Red Bull. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who narrowly brushed the wall during his run, managed only seventh.

The session was repeatedly disrupted, with seven crashes recorded across qualifying. Among the most notable incidents, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri collided heavily with the wall at Turn Three in Q3, ending his chances of improving on ninth place. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also crashed, while Lewis Hamilton, running without the preferred medium tyre, was eliminated in Q2 and will begin from 12th. Speaking to Sky Sports after the session, Hamilton admitted he was “so disappointed,” adding that he had believed he was in contention for pole before strategic choices left him disadvantaged.

Persistent light rain and fading daylight added further challenges for the drivers, leading to yellow and red flags throughout. Verstappen himself narrowly avoided trouble, missing the pit entry under a red flag but escaping sanction. Despite the interruptions, he capitalized on the final opportunity to post the fastest lap.