Racing driver Max Verstappen navigates turmoil in the qualifying session of the Baku Grand Prix, emerging victorious despite the pandemonium.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying: Chaotic Session Ends with Verstappen on Pole
The qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a rollercoaster ride, filled with interruptions and dramatic moments, as cars needed to be recovered several times.
In the end, Max Verstappen secured the best starting position for the race, achieving his 46th career pole position. The Red Bull driver demonstrated a strong performance, especially after the crash involving Piastri, which resumed the session.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, faltered in the qualifying session and settled for 12th place. The Brit expressed his disappointment, stating he thought he could fight for the pole position. Hamilton blamed his performance on tire strategy.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc, the reigning series pole-setter, had a disappointing qualifying run. The Ferrari driver plowed into the barriers during the session, securing tenth place. This is a stark contrast to Leclerc's dominance in qualifying, having secured pole position each time in the past four years. However, Ferrari's tendency to have a certain advantage on a single lap was evident, with Leclerc's Ferrari showing speed throughout the session.
Carlos Sainz finished second in the Williams, with Liam Lawson third in the Red Bull and Kimi Antonelli fourth in a Mercedes. Sainz temporarily held the top position after Leclerc's crash, urging for more rain. Lando Norris, the current world championship runner-up, managed only seventh place in the McLaren. Oscar Piastri, who is ahead of Norris in the standings, could only manage ninth place and also crashed his car.
The McLaren duo had problems in Friday's practice, with Norris hitting the track barriers several times and Piastri once. Nico Hülkenberg also had a challenging qualifying session, crashing the front of his Sauber into the track limits, causing the practice to be interrupted.
The weather is expected to be the same as on Saturday, and the track is only eight meters wide at its narrowest point and surrounded by walls, potentially leading to chaotic conditions. The narrow track and the walls could make overtaking difficult, making the race a strategic battle.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling race, with Verstappen starting from pole position and Hamilton starting from 12th. The race promises to be exciting, with the potential for overtaking and strategic battles.
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