Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc continued his dominance in Baku by securing pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the fourth consecutive year. The Monaco driver will be looking to build on his recent win at Monza and strengthen his position in the championship standings. Leclerc will be joined on the front row by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, with the young Australian driver putting in an impressive performance in qualifying.
Meanwhile, three-time world champion Max Verstappen’s struggles continued as he could only manage a sixth-place qualifying result. The Red Bull driver will be looking to put an end to his six-race losing streak and gain valuable points in the title race. Verstappen’s main rival in the championship, Lando Norris, faced a setback of his own as he was knocked out in the first qualifying session and will start from 17th on the grid.
Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz will start on the second row alongside Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull. George Russell also put in a strong performance in qualifying, securing the fifth fastest time and lining up on the third row beside Verstappen. Norris acknowledges the challenges he will face starting from the rear of the grid on the narrow streets of Baku, where overtaking opportunities are limited.
Despite the difficult starting position, Norris remains optimistic and is focused on putting together a strong race plan to make the most of his situation. The British driver is aware of the importance of maximizing points in the remaining races of the season to keep himself in contention for the championship. With eight races left in the season, every point counts in the tightly contested battle at the top of the standings.
Leclerc’s dominance in qualifying sets him up as the favorite for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but Piastri’s impressive performance and Verstappen’s determination to bounce back will add intrigue to the race. The tight and twisty Baku City Circuit promises drama and excitement, with drivers having to navigate the challenging layout carefully to avoid mistakes. The championship battle is heating up, and every race weekend is crucial for the drivers and teams in their quest for glory.
