Verstappen Claims Azerbaijan grand Prix Pole Amidst Chaotic Qualifying Session
Baku, Azerbaijan – Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing secured pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a qualifying session marred by a record-breaking six red flag stoppages. the session, lasting two hours, saw multiple incidents adn ultimately a disqualification, setting the stage for a perhaps unpredictable race on Sunday.
The qualifying session was immediatly disrupted when Williams driver Alex Albon crashed at Turn One, triggering the first of three red flags in Q1. Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg then caused a second stoppage at Turn Four, and the session concluded prematurely after both Alpine drivers encountered issues at the same corner. Pierre Gasly ran off track, followed shortly after by teammate Franco Colapinto, who crashed despite waved yellow flags.
Q2 saw further drama as Haas driver Oliver Bearman oversteered into the wall at Turn Two, bringing out another red flag. McLaren’s Oscar piastri later made contact with the wall at Turn 15 but was able to continue. The final session was punctuated by the onset of light rain, potentially contributing to crashes involving Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at Turn 15 and Piastri at Turn Three.Leclerc, a four-time consecutive pole sitter in Baku, went straight into the tire barrier.
Adding to the drama, Haas driver Esteban Ocon was disqualified from qualifying after his rear wing failed a deflection test following the session. He will be forced to start the race from the pit lane.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration with his team’s strategy, stating, “We should have used a medium in Q2. That’s what everyone else did, we knew it was quicker and I can’t tell you why we didn’t end up using it, but we will take it internal, but there has been lots of progress.” Despite qualifying outside the top ten, Hamilton remains optimistic about making progress during the race, adding, “I thought I was fighting for the top three, so it’s a big shock.”
