Charles Leclerc took a stunning pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Lando Norris suffered a huge blow to his title bid after he was eliminated in Q1.
Norris is set to start Sunday’s race down in 17th after he appeared to be hindered by yellow flags, so backed off after running wide and was knocked out in the first stage of qualifying.
The only saving grace is championship leader Max Verstappen could only qualify sixth as he was out-qualified by Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez for the first time in 16 months in a dramatic qualifying.
At the front, Oscar Piastri was 0.321s behind Leclerc in second place, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in third.
Perez will start fourth in front of George Russell and Verstappen, with Lewis Hamilton in seventh after a difficult Saturday for the seven-time world champion.
Franco Colapinto reached Q3 in just his second ever F1 qualifying, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in front of him and Williams team-mate Alex Albon in 10th. Albon failed to get a final lap in after Williams left a fan in his car exiting the garage.
More to follow…
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Alex Albon is forced to pull over during Q3 at Azerbaijan due to the Williams mechanics leaving a bright yellow airbox fan in his cockpit.
Sky Sports F1’s live Azerbaijan GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place around the Baku City Circuit.
Sunday September 15
8.30am: F2 Feature Race
10:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up*
12pm: The AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX*
2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction
3pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 leaves mainland Europe for Baku and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
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