Chaos Unfolds in 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying Session

Baku, Azerbaijan — The qualifying session for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix ended in chaos, setting the stage for a thrilling race weekend. The session, which took place on September 20, 2025, saw unexpected exits and crashes among key drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri.

Hamilton, a front-runner, surprisingly dropped out in Q2, disappointing fans as he failed to secure a spot in Q3. His exit shocked many, especially after a promising start to the weekend. Mercedes team principal commented on Hamilton’s performance, stating, “We will need to regroup and concentrate for the race tomorrow.”

Ferrari faced their own troubles when Charles Leclerc crashed into the wall during Q3, a devastating turn for the team. Just moments earlier, Piastri had crashed at Turn 3, marking a critical blow to his title aspirations without setting a time in the final session.

The session saw multiple red flags due to numerous crashes. Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto both faced issues in Q1 that interrupted proceedings, and Oliver Bearman also crashed right at the beginning of Q2. The unpredictable track conditions added to the tension, with light rain reported in the final minutes of qualifying.

Commentators speculated on how Piastri’s mistake would impact the championship battle between him and teammate Lando Norris, who is also in contention for the title. “This is a huge opportunity for Norris to capitalize on Piastri’s mishap,” said one analyst during the broadcast.

With qualifying complete, the attention now shifts to the race on September 21 at 3 p.m. local time. Fans eagerly await to see how the dramatic events of qualifying will affect the race results, as McLaren looks poised to take the constructors’ title if they can navigate the Baku circuit’s tough challenges.