Formula 1

The final practice session in Baku, LIVE from 10.30am

Charles Leclerc

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Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has secured pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the fourth time in a row. 

While the Monza winner confidently secured first place on the grid for Sunday's race (1pm) in Formula 1 qualifying in Baku on Saturday ahead of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri (+0.321 sec.) and Carlos Sainz (+0.440) in the second Ferrari, the two world championship favorites Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lando Norris (McLaren) faltered.

Here are the qualifying results:

Norris only 16th on the grid

World championship leader Verstappen finished sixth (+0.658), two places behind his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez (+0.448), who was faster than the Dutchman in the timesheets for the first time this season. World championship rival Norris, on the other hand, suffered a serious setback with 17th place on the grid after the Briton was apparently slowed by a yellow flag in the first qualifying section. Shortly afterwards, Alpine driver Pierre Gasly was disqualified from the qualifying classification for a technical infringement, moving Norris up to 16th place.

"The car is good. We might not be quite as fast as Ferrari, but it's certainly close between us, Red Bull and Ferrari," said Norris on ServusTV, visibly frustrated. On the street circuit in Baku, where there have often been accidents and interruptions in the past, the 24-year-old will have to start a race to catch up. "We have to wait and see, it's not that easy to overtake. We have to keep our fingers crossed that everything goes according to plan and that we have a good strategy."

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Leclerc was certainly satisfied after his 26th pole. "It's one of my favorite tracks," said the Monegasque, who had "not had an easy weekend" after his crash in the first practice session. "But I haven't lost my confidence. I wasn't able to do as many laps as I wanted. But the pace was always there. It will be a tough and long race." In the past, Leclerc has never been able to convert pole position into a win in Baku. "I believe that we are also stronger in the race this year," he emphasized.

(Bild: AFP/APA/Gabriel BOUYS)

There was some anger at Red Bull Racing over a missed opportunity. "Annoyed because Max lost six tenths in turn 16 on his first lap. That would have been enough for P2," said Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko. The speed is now back in the car, added the Styrian, who looked confidently towards Sunday. "It doesn't look too bad, especially with Lando Norris' starting position. When Ferrari wins, it's always good. Our first opponent is Lando, we should already have him under control. I'm sure we'll get a little further forward."

The situation in the championship battle has come to a head ahead of the final third of the season. Verstappen has been waiting for a win for six races now, and his lead over Norris has shrunk to 62 points with eight races and three sprints to go before the end of the season. If necessary, Norris will also benefit from a stable order on Sunday, although his team-mate will start much further forward.

McLaren could already take the lead in the constructors' championship in Azerbaijan, with the traditional British team now only eight points behind the recently weakening Austro racing team. However, Red Bull Racing has been very successful on the street circuit on the Caspian Sea in recent years, with Verstappen triumphing in 2022 and Perez even being the record winner in Baku with his two victories last year and in 2021.