Defending Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen took pole position in one of the wildest qualifying sessions in the series’ history, as the three segments of qualifying for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku featured six red-flag stoppages and rain interference.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc were among those causing the red flags – but Piastri’s title rival Norris struggled to capitalise on Piastri’s crash in a rain-affected Q3.
Carlos Sainz put a Williams on the front row, with Liam Lawson third for Racing Bulls.
Esteban Ocon had qualified 18th, but was excluded from qualifying results due to excessive rear wing flex.
Provisional starting grid
1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2 Carlos Sainz (Williams)
3 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
4 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
5 George Russell (Mercedes)
6 Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
7 Lando Norris (McLaren)
8 Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
9 Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
10 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
11 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
12 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
13 Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
14 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
15 Ollie Bearman (Haas)
16 Franco Colapinto (Williams)
17 Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
18 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
19 Alex Albon (Williams)
20 Esteban Ocon (Haas)