Verstappen grabs pole position in bizarre Baku qualifying
Reigning champion Max Verstappen grabbed pole position in the bizarre qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that was red-flagged on five occasions.
Just like in Monza, Max Verstappen also took pole position in Baku. The Dutchman kept a cool head in qualifying, which was marred by one crash after another. Championship leader Oscar Piastri was unable to set a time due to one of these crashes, but Lando Norris was unable to fully capitalize.
Qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP turned into one of the most peculiar sessions of recent years with numerous crashes causing several stoppages and several drivers qualifying or the starting grid without a time on the board.
Even when the top 10 were allowed to battle for pole position, things went wrong. First, Charles Leclerc, seeking a fifth consecutive pole position in Baku, crashed into the stage, then it was Oscar Piastri's turn. The championship leader parked his McLaren in the tire barrier even before anybody had managed to set a time. Verstappen, who had headed out first following the stoppage for Leclerc's crash was red flagged while he was on the main straight, close to finishing his lap.
With little more than 3 minutes remaining the session eventually restarted with Sainz enjoying provisional pole thanks to an excellent lap before Leclerc's crash but with 8 drivers not having set a time in the final part of qualifying.
As a couple of raindrops fell, hopes at Williams rose, especially when Lando Norris then scrubbed the wall once again, ending up in 7th only and failing grab the opportunity given to him with Paistri's crash. Lawson came close to Sainz' time and ended up a tenth down but it was Verstappen who recorded a strong lap, fastest in every sector to take pole away from Sainz and Williams.
Verstappen's team mate Tsunoda ended up in 6th, outlining that Red Bull may have finally turned the tables after some lackluster performances in the races before the Italian Grand Prix.
