Overview

• Qualifying was halted six times in Baku, the most red flags ever in an F1 session, as multiple drivers hit the walls in changing conditions.
• Williams’ Carlos Sainz lines up second with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson third and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli fourth after the disrupted Q3.
• Championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed at Turn 3 in Q3, yet retains ninth on the grid after McLaren’s approved chassis swap; he leads Lando Norris by 31 points.
• Stewards disqualified Esteban Ocon from qualifying for a technical irregularity, with Haas granted permission for him to start from the back.
• Teams face windy, possibly damp conditions and a likely one‑stop race, with McLaren holding fresh medium tyres that could open alternative strategy windows.