Charles Leclerc delivered a commanding performance at the 2024 Azerbaijan GP, bouncing back from a practice crash on Friday to secure his fourth consecutive pole position at Baku. The Monegasque driver once again demonstrated his mastery of the street circuit, clinching the top spot with an impressive 1:42.042 in Q3, outpacing his rivals in what has become a favored hunting ground for Ferrari’s star.
Leclerc Leads the Charge Despite clear conditions and rising track temperatures, Leclerc maintained his composure after a challenging start to the weekend. His flawless performance in Q3 put him ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz, who secured second on the grid, and Oscar Piastri, who placed third for McLaren. This pole marked Leclerc’s fourth straight at Baku, underscoring his affinity for the challenging street circuit.
Sainz, despite a few early struggles including a lock-up at Turn 2 in Q1, managed to recover and deliver a strong lap, ensuring a Ferrari front-row lockout.
Drama in Q1: Norris Out, Colapinto Shines While Leclerc excelled, the early rounds of qualifying were not kind to Lando Norris, who faced a surprising exit in Q1 after a scruffy lap and a Yellow flag at Turn 16. Norris finished 17th, a major blow to his championship hopes. Daniel Ricciardo also failed to advance, finishing 16th, just missing the cut for Q2.
On the flip side, Franco Colapinto in the Williams stunned the field with an outstanding performance, making it to Q3 for the first time in his F1 career. His aggressive lap in Q1, which saw him brush the wall, paid off as he continued to impress throughout the session, ultimately securing a sixth-place finish in Q3.
Verstappen Struggles but Salvages Sixth Max Verstappen, who has not tasted victory in six races, had a rough session. Despite leading briefly in Q2, he struggled with rear instability in Q3, particularly at Turn 16, where a hard hit on the kerbs ruined his lap. Verstappen could only manage sixth on the grid, behind teammate Sergio Perez, who will start fifth. The Dutchman expressed frustration with the car’s handling, citing instability on the rear axle.
McLaren Faces Scrutiny for Strategy Oscar Piastri’s third-place finish, while impressive, comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of McLaren’s race strategy. After the controversial events at the Italian GP, where Piastri overtook Norris but the team failed to back their championship contender, all eyes are on McLaren to see how they handle team orders moving forward. With Norris out of Q1, Piastri may find himself in a prime position to score big points, but McLaren’s recent decision to prioritize Norris adds an extra layer of intrigue.
Mercedes Lurks, Williams’ Pitlane Incident Mercedes had a mixed session, with George Russell taking fourth and Lewis Hamilton placing seventh. Russell’s assertive strategy to avoid a late run paid off, as he secured a strong position for Sunday’s race. However, Williams faced an embarrassing moment in Q3 when Alex Albon was released with an airbox fan still attached to his car. Albon had to stop at the pit exit to remove the fan himself, handing it to marshals before rejoining. The incident, under investigation, marred an otherwise solid effort.
Baku Awaits Another Classic As the stage is set for the 2024 Azerbaijan GP, Ferrari appears poised to capitalize on their front-row advantage, but with the unpredictable nature of Baku’s street circuit and McLaren’s ongoing internal dynamics, the race promises plenty of action. Verstappen, still hunting for form, will need to overcome his sixth-place start, while Colapinto’s stunning rise adds an exciting twist to the midfield battle. The question remains: can Ferrari convert their pole into victory, or will McLaren and Red Bull have something to say about it?
