F1 – Verstappen Clinches Pole in Baku Amid Red Flags and Dramatic Crashes

The Baku F1 qualifying session produced one of the most unpredictable and dramatic rounds of the season. Baku F1 qualifying saw crashes, red flags, and changing conditions that left top drivers scrambling for a clean lap. Max Verstappen emerged as the pole sitter, demonstrating composure under chaotic circumstances.

Early Session Drama

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc initially set the pace on Soft tyres with a lap of 1:41.982, just ahead of Verstappen and Norris. However, the first red flag came when Williams’ Alex Albon clipped the wall at Turn 1, leaving his front-left suspension broken and several drivers without a time. Piastri and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli were immediately affected, starting their session at a disadvantage.

Lewis Hamilton briefly reclaimed the top spot with 1:41.821, and Piastri moved up to P2. Yet red flags struck again as Nico Hülkenberg hit the wall at Turn 4, forcing another session halt.

Mid-Session Battles

Lando Norris took the lead with 1:41.322 on Soft tyres, with Verstappen just 0.009s behind. Red flags continued to disrupt the rhythm, caused by Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto at Turn 4. Several drivers, including Esteban Ocon and Albon, failed to complete timed laps as a result.

Q2 saw Oliver Bearman crash at Turn 2, adding further interruptions. Norris and Verstappen continued to fight for top times, and small rain droplets made track conditions unpredictable.

The Final Shootout

Rain intensified as the final session began. George Russell slid off at Turn 4, and Leclerc locked up at Turn 15, crashing once more. Piastri followed suit, hitting the barriers at Turn 3 and contributing to the sixth red flag. With only one final run left, Verstappen kept his focus.

Norris faltered first, scraping the wall at Turn 15, leaving Verstappen to deliver a flawless 1:41.117 lap. This secured the Dutch driver’s sixth pole of the season, ahead of Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson.

Surprising Grid Positions

Mercedes’ Russell and Kimi Antonelli secured P5 and P6. Yuki Tsunoda achieved his best qualifying with Red Bull in P6. Norris, Isack Hadjar, Piastri, and Leclerc rounded out the top ten in a session filled with unpredictability and tense moments.

Summary

Baku F1 qualifying highlighted the razor-thin margins between victory and disaster. Verstappen kept his cool amid crashes, red flags, and rain, claiming pole position. The session reshaped the front of the grid, leaving teams and drivers to adjust strategies for the race ahead.