Verstappen Secures Sixth Azerbaijan GP Pole in Crash-Marred Qualifying

Max Verstappen secured pole position for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a highly chaotic qualifying session marked by a record six red flags and multiple crashes, including those of championship leader Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Verstappen posted a fastest lap time of 1:41.117 in difficult wet conditions, finishing nearly half a second ahead of Carlos Sainz of Williams, who claimed an unexpected front-row start. Rookie drivers Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli also impressed, filling the second row alongside Verstappen, while McLaren's championship leader Piastri qualified ninth after a costly mistake. The session was extended by nearly an hour due to barrier repairs and car removals, with teams struggling to find optimal tire performance amid intermittent rain. Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his performance despite tire challenges and remains optimistic about his chances in the race, emphasizing the importance of tire management over the long race distance. The qualifying results reflect a significant shake-up in the usual order, with Ferrari and McLaren facing setbacks and Red Bull capitalizing on the chaos.