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By Liam Scott | Staff Writer with Agencies
Max Verstappen triumphed in a dramatic and chaotic qualifying session for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing pole position for the 17th race of the season. The Red Bull driver clocked a blistering 1:41.117 in the final qualifying session (Q3) on Saturday, September 20, in Baku, overcoming a series of interruptions, including six safety car periods. This pole position marks his second consecutive top spot on the grid, following his pole at Monza.
Verstappen’s performance came after a dramatic turn of events in Q3, which saw the rain wreak havoc on the track conditions and throw the session into turmoil. Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, had briefly taken the provisional pole after the rain hit, but Verstappen’s final lap proved to be the fastest, giving him the crucial advantage heading into Sunday’s race.
A Chaotic Qualifying Session
The session was filled with unpredictability, as rain, slippery conditions, and multiple red flags turned Baku’s streets into a treacherous challenge. Verstappen, reflecting on the intense session, said, “It was one of those qualifying sessions where anything could happen. With the slippery track, red flags, and the pressure of only having one chance, concentration had to be total. I’m really happy I managed to get it right when it mattered most.”
Sainz will line up in second, just behind Verstappen, after a strong performance despite the difficult conditions. The Williams driver briefly held the provisional pole in Q3 but was ultimately edged out by the Red Bull champion.
Dramatic Moments in Q3
The session was marked by several dramatic moments that reshuffled the grid. McLaren’s Lando Norris had been leading the timesheets in the final minutes but suffered a mistake, hitting the wall at the exit of Turn 15, which ruined his decisive lap. The British driver ultimately qualified in seventh.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate at McLaren, also became a key figure in the chaos. The Australian lost control of his car in Turn 3, slamming into the barriers and bringing out yet another red flag. Although Piastri was unharmed, the accident meant he would start from ninth on the grid.
Meanwhile, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson made a remarkable breakthrough, securing his best-ever qualifying result of third. Lawson will be joined by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli in the second row. George Russell (Mercedes) and Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) round off the third row.
Struggles for Ferrari and Other Big Names
Ferrari had a challenging session in Baku. Charles Leclerc, after a difficult Q3 run, will start from 10th, while teammate Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 and will begin from 12th. Leclerc’s session was further marred by damage to his car, which left the mechanics with some work to do ahead of the race.
Gabriel Bortoleto, another driver who faced difficulties in qualifying, will start in 13th for Sauber, while his teammate Nico Hülkenberg had an even worse session, crashing out in Q1 and qualifying 17th.
😲 I’m genuinely stunned by today’s qualifying in Baku! The big names all bit the dust in Q2, while McLaren struggled for pace and ended up mid-pack. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen reminded us why he’s the benchmark with a flawless pole-securing lap.
🏁 The Baku City Circuit proved… pic.twitter.com/91d3c64gyW
— Col-Gate (@Col_Gate_ML) September 20, 2025
The Full Grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
The chaotic nature of the qualifying session in Baku led to some surprises and shuffled the grid for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Here is how the starting grid shapes up for Sunday’s race:
Top 10 Starting Positions:
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Honda RBPT) – 1:41.117
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Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes) – 1:41.595
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Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT) – 1:41.707
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Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:41.717
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George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:42.070
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Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull/Honda RBPT) – 1:42.143
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Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes) – 1:42.239
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Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT) – 1:42.372
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes) – No Time (s/time)
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Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – No Time (s/time)
Remaining Grid:
11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Mercedes) – 1:41.857
12. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:42.183
13. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Ferrari) – 1:42.277
14. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Mercedes) – 1:43.061
15. Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari) – No Time (s/time)
16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Renault) – 1:42.779
17. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber/Ferrari) – 1:42.916
18. Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari) – 1:43.004
19. Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Renault) – 1:43.139
20. Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes) – 1:43.778
What’s Next?
With Verstappen securing pole position, he will be hoping for a strong result in the race, where the unpredictable nature of Baku always adds an extra layer of excitement. The Red Bull driver’s performance in qualifying, despite the challenges, has shown that he’s in a strong position to add another victory to his tally.
As the grid prepares for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, fans can expect a thrilling race with plenty of drama, as the competitive field continues to deliver edge-of-your-seat action. The race will take place on Sunday, September 21.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.