Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session made history with an unprecedented series of incidents, as Max Verstappen secured pole position amid six red flag interruptions. The reigning world champion emerged victorious in what became one of the most disrupted qualifying sessions in F1 history, narrowly beating out Carlos Sainz for the top spot [1].
The qualifying session was marked by multiple crashes and interruptions, with six different drivers finding trouble on the challenging Baku circuit. Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, Alexander Albon, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, and Oliver Bearman all experienced incidents that brought out red flags during the session [2].
The day began promisingly for McLaren, with Lando Norris showing strong pace by topping both FP3 and FP1 sessions [3]. However, the team's fortunes changed during qualifying, with Norris ultimately settling for seventh place on the grid [4].
Further adding to the day's drama, Esteban Ocon faced disqualification from the qualifying results after his Haas failed a rear wing flex test [5]. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton's qualifying efforts were compromised by what he described as a tire strategy mistake [6].
- https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-azerbaijan-gp-max-verstappen-denies-carlos-sainz-shock-pole-as-oscar-piastri-crashes/10760987/
- Piastri Crashes as Azerbaijan F1 Qualifying Stopped Six Times
- https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-azerbaijan-gp-lando-norris-tops-windy-fp3-by-two-tenths/10760872/
- https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/-missed-opportunity-or-wrong-call-why-lando-norris-couldnt-benefit-from-oscar-piastris-baku-f1-crash/10761050/
- https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ocon-set-for-azerbaijan-gp-qualifying-disqualification-after-failing-rear-wing-flex-test/10761073/
- https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-mistake-qualifying-elimination-baku/10761010/
