Chaos Unfolds at Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying

Baku, Azerbaijan – The qualifying session for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was marked by chaos and multiple accidents, sending shockwaves through the street circuit.

In Q1, Lando Norris led the session with a time of 1:41.322 but not without drama. Alex Albon crashed into the wall, which resulted in a red flag that halted the session. Moments later, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto fell victim to the treacherous conditions, both crashing out after the yellow flags were displayed.

As Q1 progressed, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari briefly took the lead, but the session proved problematic for many drivers. Reports indicated that gusty winds and a low sun made the circuit challenging. Norris, who had previously sustained damage during Friday’s practice, managed a clean lap that placed him at the top.

The tension continued into Q2, where another red flag was raised after Oliver Bearman collided with the wall at turn two. “Sorry guys, so stupid,” Bearman expressed, clearly frustrated as he exited the session. The remaining drivers struggled with the wind, which notably affected their performance.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing led Q2 initially, followed closely by Leclerc, but both drivers faced difficulties with their lines, especially at turn one. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes pushed hard to split the McLarens, demonstrating strong performance on medium tires during the qualifying rounds.

Despite the crash issues that plagued the session, team principal Flavio Briatore of Alpine commented on the situation. He emphasized the need for a quality driver, as the team debates between Franco Colapinto and reserve driver Paul Aron for a seat. “I need another one or two races to see,” he stated.

As the qualifying session progressed, the atmosphere was tense, with drivers and team principals concerned about the unpredictable nature of the Azerbaijan course. The potential for further incidents loomed large as qualifying continued, emphasizing the stakes of the 2025 season.

With the session chaos concluding, fans were left eagerly awaiting the race, set to unfold amid the winding streets of Baku.