Max Verstappen Secures Pole in Chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying

Baku, Azerbaijan — Max Verstappen took pole position in a dramatic qualifying session for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit on Saturday.

The defending champion showcased his skill amidst a record six red flags that disrupted the session, ultimately finishing ahead of Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson, who completed the podium. Championship leader Oscar Piastri faced disappointment by crashing out at Turn 3 without posting a time in Q3.

Verstappen expressed his relief, stating, “This track is already hard enough without anything. So with the strong winds that we had today, the car was moving around a lot.” His experience helped him avoid errors, unlike Piastri, who misjudged his braking.

Lewis Hamilton also had an unexpected exit, failing to progress beyond Q2. Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc encountered trouble, crashing during his run in Q3. Piastri had hoped to maintain his championship lead going into Sunday’s race but instead ended up as the surprise casualty of the session.

The chaotic qualifying represented challenges for drivers as they battled changing wind conditions and track grip. Carlos Sainz noted, “Every time you have a 10-minute break in the garage, it’s difficult to know where the track is when you go back out again.”

Esteban Ocon, who qualified in 18th, was disqualified from the session for violating technical regulations, paving the way for others to move up the grid.

As the race day approaches, drivers and teams must navigate the pressure of the unpredictable conditions expected on the streets of Baku. Verstappen and his Red Bull team aim to capitalize on their pole position and fend off challenges from McLaren and Ferrari.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race, set to start at 12:00 local time on Sunday. After the intense qualifying session, all eyes will be on the street circuit as these elite drivers battle for victory.