Qualifying in Baku produced unprecedented drama, with six red flags, the most ever in a Formula 1 qualifying session, as shifting conditions, costly mistakes, and bold heroics combined to shape the grid.
At the end of it all, Max Verstappen emerged on top, securing pole position for Sunday’s race with a 1:41.117s lap. But the headline story for Kiwi fans was Liam Lawson, who claimed a sensational third on the grid, his best-ever Formula 1 qualifying result.
The opening session was interrupted three times, with multiple drivers finding the unforgiving Baku walls.
Lawson initially set the pace with a 1:42.440 before being displaced by Charles Leclerc, Verstappen, and Lando Norris. Red flags were triggered first by Alex Albon, who hit the wall early, and then by Nico Hülkenberg’s stricken Sauber after a heavy impact.
Lawson and teammate Isack Hadjar briefly switched to medium tyres mid-session, leaving them on the bubble, before both improved late. Hadjar impressively went fifth fastest while Lawson slotted into eighth.
The session ended under yet another stoppage after Franco Colapinto suffered a heavy crash into the barriers and Pierre Gasly ran off track down an escape road, resulting in another red flag.
Norris topped Q1 with a 1:41.322s, ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc, with both Racing Bulls progressing comfortably into the second stage.
Q2 started with more drama as Hadjar ran wide into an escape road, while Lawson briefly went fastest on soft tyres before being eclipsed by Alonso and Leclerc.
Another red flag, the fourth of the day, came when Oliver Bearman’s Haas brushed the wall and came to a stop on track due to damage sustained from the contact.
When the session resumed, the pace intensified. Norris, Bortoleto, and Sainz all traded fastest laps before Verstappen stamped his authority with a 1:41.255s.
Lawson kept himself in contention with a superb 1:41.807s effort, finishing seventh, just two-and-a-half tenths off the outright pace and a fraction quicker than his teammate.
Among the high-profile casualties were Alonso, Hamilton, and Stroll, while both Racing Bulls advanced to Q3.
The final shootout was defined by changing conditions as raindrops began to fall around Turn 1.
Lawson was the first to set a time, putting down a 1:42.560s on used softs, briefly holding provisional pole before Carlos Sainz snatched the top spot on fresher mediums.
Hadjar slotted third before more chaos struck: Leclerc crashed heavily into the wall, bringing out the red flag.
Soon after the restart, Piastri also found the barriers, triggering yet another stoppage with just minutes left.
On the final runs, Norris brushed the wall but managed second fastest, only for Lawson to deliver a stunning lap that pushed him into P2, less than six tenths behind Sainz. Verstappen, however, saved his best for last, storming to pole by nearly half a second.
Lawson ultimately secured third on the grid, a career-best result in Formula 1, and one that underlined his growing confidence in the Racing Bulls.
“Honestly, I can’t remember what happened; it was so busy,” Lawson admitted afterwards. “I said it would be, but I didn’t expect it to be like that. The car has been good all weekend, and when it needed to be in quali, it was good. Massive thanks to the team who have been amazing this weekend so far, but obviously, tomorrow is the important day.”
Starting Grid – Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025
Header Image: Formula 1 via X/Getty Images
