Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc made history by claiming his fourth consecutive pole position at the Baku City Circuit, outpacing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in a dramatic qualifying session for the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Leclerc delivered a stunning lap time of 1m 41.365s, finishing three-tenths ahead of Piastri, while Carlos Sainz rounded out the top three.
Leclerc Dominates with Another Stellar Performance
Leclerc, who had already secured pole positions in Baku for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 races, proved once again why this street circuit is a stronghold for him. He set the track ablaze in Q3, beating his rivals with a near-perfect lap to secure his place at the front of the grid for Sunday’s race.
Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz also showcased his skill, taking third place, while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, a two-time winner in Baku, edged out teammate Max Verstappen for fourth. Verstappen settled for sixth, separated by George Russell, who put in a solid performance for Mercedes in fifth place.
Norris Faces Heartbreak as Piastri Shines
While Piastri soared to a career-best second place on the grid, it was a tough day for the other McLaren driver, Lando Norris. In a shocking turn of events, Norris was eliminated in Q1 after running over the kerbs and encountering a slow-moving Esteban Ocon in the final sector. Norris will start the race from 17th on the grid, a huge blow to his championship hopes.
Midfield Battle: Williams Impresses Despite Albon’s Setback
Williams had a mixed day in Baku. Franco Colapinto impressed everyone with a stellar performance, making it into Q3 and securing ninth place, just behind Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. However, teammate Alex Albon faced an unusual setback when he was sent out with an airbox fan still attached to his car, costing him precious time and limiting him to 10th place.
Q1 Drama: Norris and Ocon in Trouble
The first qualifying session saw major surprises as Leclerc topped the charts early on. While Leclerc, Perez, and Piastri showed blistering speed, Norris encountered trouble, dramatically missing out on advancing to Q2. The session was further marred by Ocon’s mechanical issues, which saw him trundle around the track late on, contributing to Norris’ early exit.
Q2: Verstappen Leads, Bearman Just Misses Out
In Q2, Max Verstappen temporarily took control, setting the fastest time of 1m 42.042s. However, Leclerc responded by moving into second place, with Perez, Sainz, and Russell following close behind. Rookie Ollie Bearman came heartbreakingly close to progressing to Q3, missing out by just a tenth of a second, leaving him to reflect on what could have been.
Q3: Leclerc’s Masterclass Secures Pole
The final shootout for pole position saw Leclerc pull out a remarkable lap time of 1m 41.365s. Piastri, who momentarily looked like a threat, lost time with a slide in the final sector and settled for second. Sainz rounded out the top three, followed by Perez, Russell, and Verstappen. Hamilton and Alonso took seventh and eighth, respectively, while the Williams duo completed the top 10.
Key Quote from Leclerc
Reflecting on his record-breaking performance, Leclerc said:
“The pace was always there and then in qualifying and Q3 it was all about trying to stay as far as possible off the walls. In that last lap, I went for it a bit more, and the lap time came very nicely. The car felt really good, and everything felt great, so it’s amazing to be on pole.”
What’s Next?
The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday at 15:00 local time. With Leclerc starting from pole and key competitors like Verstappen and Norris further down the grid, the race promises to be an exciting affair. Tune in to witness the action unfold on one of F1’s most unpredictable circuits.
