Verstappen Secures Pole Position for Azerbaijan Grand Prix Amidst Chaotic Qualifying
Baku, Azerbaijan – max Verstappen will start from pole position for Sunday’s Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand prix after a dramatic qualifying session marked by crashes and interruptions. The Red Bull driver set the fastest lap,edging out Lando norris and Piastri,while several top contenders faced setbacks.
Qualifying was repeatedly halted as cars impacted the track walls, requiring recovery operations. Despite the disruptions, verstappen managed to navigate the challenging Baku City Circuit, securing the top spot. He finished ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, with Piastri taking third.
The session saw notable struggles for several drivers.Nico Hülkenberg crashed into the route limitation with the front of his car, damaging his front wing and forcing a pit stop, ultimately finishing 17th. “I didn’t get good rounds at all,” the 38-year-old told Sky. “Just not clean. Having mistakes in the ends and rightly out.”
Lewis Hamilton, fastest in Friday’s practice, could only manage 12th place, expressing his disappointment. “I am so disappointed. I thought today I could ride the poles,” he said, criticizing the tire strategy.”We just didn’t have the right tire on it. It was hard.” Ferrari also faced challenges, with both Leclerc and Piastri briefly touching the route wall. Leclerc, commenting on track conditions, stated, “Guys, it’s definitely too slippery,” moments before a brief shower.
Piastri,after his wall contact,admitted,”I probably wanted it a little too much… I slowed down too late: disappointing.” Despite the incidents, Verstappen capitalized on the conditions and secured his position at the front of the grid.
