Formula 1 News: Leclerc wins pole for 2024 Azerbaijan GP

For the 4th time in a row, Charles Leclerc has won the pole for the 2024 Azerbaijan GP with a lap of 1m41.365s on the Baku City Circuit.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Oscar Piastri was 2nd quick in the #84 McLaren, a massive 0.321s behind the Ferrari of Leclerc. “I got a bit closer to the walls, and on the last lap a little bit too close. This track rewards commitment. Just tried to maximize the car, which was feeling good all the way through. I think following around here will be really tough, so hopefully I can get some clean air, but I think our race pace is good. But the Ferraris are not slow.”

Carlos Sainz Jr. put the #55 Ferrari third on the grid, 0.440s behind his teammate Leclerc. “I think we had a solid quali, solid day, and we have put ourselves in a good position for tomorrow. I’ve never been 100% hooked up here in my career, it’s a track I tend to struggle at. I found something going into Q3 that gave me more confidence, and I’m in a decent position for tomorrow. I’ve never been my best version of myself around here, but I think tomorrow we can be.”

Sergio Perez was 4th quick in the #11 Red Bull, 0.448s behind Leclerc while George Russell rounded out the top-5 for Mercedes, 0.509s behind Leclerc.

Max Verstappen could only manage 6th in the #1 Red Bull, and he was lucky that his nearest rival in the drivers’ championship, Lando Norris, will start way back in 17th after not making it out of Q3 because he got caught out by an unlucky yellow.

Another poor qualifying for Verstappen, who will try and twist the knife into Norris’ poor starting position tomorrow.

It seems like a missed opportunity though, with team-mate Perez, Russell, both Ferraris and Piastri all ahead.

Lewis Hamilton was 7th in the #44 Mercedes, struggling to get his tires up to temperature, while Fernando Alonso, Franco Colapinto and Alex Albon rounded out the top-10. It was an otherwise excellent day for Williams, and especially rookie Colapinto, Albon’s efforts were hindered when the Thai-British driver was sent out for his final lap with an airbox fan still attached.

“It’s one of my favorite tracks of the season<” said polesitter Charles Leclerc. “The pace was always there, and in Q3 in that last lap I went for it a bit more and the lap time came nicely, the car felt really good and it is amazing to be on pole. Normally, the even side of the grid has less grip, so first and third is where you want to start. Tyre management will be a big thing tomorrow.”

2024 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying Results