Overview
- The Red Bull driver topped qualifying by nearly half a second for his first Baku pole, ahead of Carlos Sainz’s Williams and Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls.
- McLaren’s title push took a hit as Lando Norris qualified seventh and championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed in Q3 and will start ninth.
- Charles Leclerc’s crash ended his run of Baku poles and left him 10th on the grid, with Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton set to start 12th.
- Esteban Ocon was disqualified from qualifying for a non‑compliant rear wing on his Haas and must start from the pit lane.
- Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who qualified fourth, faces a post‑session investigation for a possible yellow‑flag breach, and forecasts point to more wind and potential rain for the race.