Azerbaijan GP: Charles Leclerc takes Baku pole as Lando Norris suffers shock early exit to harm F1 title bid

Charles Leclerc took a surprising pole place for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Lando Norris suffered an enormous blow to his title bid after he was eradicated in Q1.

Norris is about to begin Sunday’s race down in seventeenth after he gave the impression to be hindered by yellow flags, so backed off after working vast and was knocked out within the first stage of qualifying.

The one saving grace is championship chief Max Verstappen might solely qualify sixth as he was out-qualified by Purple Bull team-mate Sergio Perez for the primary time in 16 months in a dramatic qualifying.

On the entrance, Oscar Piastri was 0.321s behind Leclerc in second place, forward of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in third.

Perez will begin fourth in entrance of George Russell and Verstappen, with Lewis Hamilton in seventh after a tough Saturday for the seven-time world champion.

Franco Colapinto reached Q3 in simply his second ever F1 qualifying, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in entrance of him and Williams team-mate Alex Albon in tenth. Albon did not get a ultimate lap in after Williams left a fan in his automobile exiting the storage.

Catastrophe for Norris

There was a number of confusion about the true cause as to why Norris, who’s 62 factors behind Verstappen within the championship, bailed out of his lap on the finish of Q1.

Observe evolution pushed him down the order after he was inside the highest 10 following the primary runs in qualifying and he quickly discovered himself within the backside 5 and needing to enhance.

As Norris approached the ultimate braking zone on the lap at Flip 16, there was a quick flashing yellow panel earlier than clearing for white flags on the exit resulting from Esteban Ocon going slowly.

Norris additionally ran vast on the exit of the nook earlier than slowing down on the flat-out run to the road. The staff instantly apologised to him on the radio however it isn’t clear if this was as a result of they made a mistake by telling him to abort his lap.

“Everyone did their second laps and I didn’t. It was unlucky, that’s all. I had to lift,” he advised Sky Sports activities F1.

Within the context of the title race, it might be an enormous second as Norris has taken factors out of Verstappen within the final two races and McLaren have a stronger automobile than Purple Bull.

The British driver will need assistance from Security Automobiles or crimson flags on Sunday to get wherever close to the highest positions however will possible must restrict the injury.

“It is what it is. There’s a long race ahead, we have some good tyres in the bank, I’m still hopeful we can get a good result. I think the car is quick. Bit frustrating, but nothing I can do,” he stated.

Leclerc reigns supreme on Saturday in Baku once more

The Baku Metropolis Circuit is arguably Leclerc’s strongest observe on the calendar, having taken each pole for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix since 2021.

Leclerc was quickest in Q1, second in Q2, then had two laps adequate for pole in Q3. He first did a 1:41.610 earlier than bettering to a 1:41.365 which put pole out of attain.

With Verstappen solely in sixth, Leclerc has an opportunity to take an enormous chunk of factors out of his 86-point deficit to the reigning world champion.

“It’s one of my favourite tracks of the season, I really like it,” stated Leclerc.

“It hasn’t been an easy weekend because obviously the crash in FP1. But it didn’t make me lose the confidence, I knew the pace was there.

“In FP2 we had an issue with a brand new half on the automobile and we misplaced one other half an hour and we did not get well these laps, however the tempo was all the time there.

“In qualifying, it was all about trying to stay away from the walls and then in that last lap I went for it a bit more and the lap time came very nice. The car felt really good, everything felt great and it’s amazing to be on pole.”

Piastri managed to separate the Ferraris with an incredible effort on the finish of Q3 after McLaren appeared like they have been on the backfoot within the different phases of qualifying.

Mercedes’ Russell was half a second off pole however outqualfied team-mate Hamilton for a thirteenth time this yr, so has gained the qualifying head-to-head.

Having had a powerful Friday, Hamilton was by no means close to the entrance in ultimate follow and qualifying itself on Saturday.

Williams’ Colapinto was the midfield star of qualifying with an excellent lap and can begin ninth, forward of Albon.

Sky Sports activities F1’s stay Azerbaijan GP schedule

Sunday September 15
8.30am: F2 Characteristic Race
10:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up*
12pm: The AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX*
2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP response
3pm: Ted’s Pocket book

*additionally stay on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion

System 1 leaves mainland Europe for Baku and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime