Verstappen Takes Azerbaijan GP Pole After Piastri, Leclerc Crash In Record Chaotic Qualifying

Oscar Piastri, the McLaren driver and Formula One championship leader, crashed out during the final phase of qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending his streak of starting in the top four this season. His crash at Turn 3 caused significant damage to his car and led to a red flag, contributing to a record total of six red flags during the chaotic qualifying session. Max Verstappen claimed pole position with a flawless final lap, while Piastri's teammate Lando Norris qualified seventh after also clipping the wall. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, aiming for a fifth successive pole in Baku, also crashed in Q3 and qualified 10th, marking a disappointing session for the Scuderia. The session was marked by multiple accidents, including crashes by Alex Albon, Nico Hülkenberg, and others, exacerbated by strong winds at the challenging Baku street circuit. Despite the disruptions, McLaren aims to secure the constructors' title with seven rounds remaining in the season.