Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a wild, stop-start qualifying in Baku that tested patience, skill and nerve. In gusting winds and intermittent drizzle, the Red Bull driver “nailed everything” on his decisive Q3 lap to edge Carlos Sainz, while Liam Lawson produced a standout performance to lock in a place on the front rows.
Two hours, six red flags, one flawless lap
Qualifying at the Baku City Circuit stretched to almost two hours amid a record tally of six red flags. The session was repeatedly halted by incidents at the tight city turns, with drivers wrestling a constantly changing track: light rain spat across the surface and crosswinds turned braking zones into traps.
In that maelstrom, Verstappen’s composure proved decisive. Having built rhythm through the restarts and adapted corner by corner to the shifting grip and wind, he delivered when it mattered to secure another Baku pole.
Sainz shines, Lawson delivers, grid takes shape
Carlos Sainz kept the pressure on throughout the session and starts alongside Verstappen on the front row, an ideal launchpad for Williams on Sunday. Behind them, Liam Lawson capitalised superbly on the conditions and disruptions to land a headline result near the sharp end of the grid.
The chaotic timing and repeated stoppages left several big names out of position and others perfectly placed to spring surprises in the race.
Why the conditions were so punishing
Baku’s long straights and 90-degree corners are hard enough in the dry; add a tailwind that can swing from 10 to 50 kph between laps and a fine sheen of moisture, and the margin for error vanishes. Drivers described certain corners as among the trickiest they’ve ever faced, underscoring how rapidly the braking points and balance were changing.
What it means for Sunday
Track evolution and strategy could be decisive in the Grand Prix, but the front row of Verstappen and Sainz promises a compelling fight into Turn 1. With underdogs well placed and several contenders out of sequence, Baku’s capacity for shocks is very much alive.
