“Pole Position at Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023 Won by Charles Leclerc, Red Bull Riders Start Behind Him: Full Qualifying Results”

This time the qualification determined the starting grid for Sunday’s race. Tomorrow’s sprint will have a separate shorter qualification.

The first part of the qualification took place in a similar wild spirit as the training – De Vries first crashed in the third corner. A moment later he was imitated by Gasly, who had technical problems in training and the mechanics had to change the drive unit and gearbox. The qualification was thus interrupted twice by the red flag.

Magnussen continued to have technical problems and had to retire early. Čou, Hülkenberg, Magnussen, Gasly and De Vries did not advance from the first part of the qualification.

George Russell surprisingly finished in the second part of the qualification. His teammate Lewis Hamilton moved up from tenth place. Apart from Russell, Ocon, Albon, Bottas and Sargeant did not advance. On the other hand, both McLaren drivers and Júki Cunoda progressed to Q3.

In the first attempt in the third part, Verstappen and Leclerc clocked identical times. In the second attempt, Leclerc took first place, mainly thanks to the second sector, which did not work out for the Red Bull drivers.

Starting grid

Third part of qualification (Q3)

16:33:

1. Lec
2. Ver
3. Per
4. Sai
5. Ham
6. Alo
7. Nor
8. Con
9. Str
10. Pia

16:26: Leclerc has pole position by 0.188 seconds!

16:26: In the second, the red bulls lost, Leclerc is the fastest there.

16:25: In the first sector, the fastest Pérez.

16:24: Stroll reports that his DRS is not working.

16:19:

1. Ver
2. Lec
3. Per
4. Sai
5. Ham
6. Nor
7. Con
8. Alo

4:19 p.m.: Wow! Verstappen and Leclerc identical time 1:40.445! In first place Verstappen, who passed him earlier.

16:15: The last part of the qualification begins.

Second part of qualification (Q2)

16:09: Nepostoupí Russell, Ocon, Albon, Bottas a Sargeant.

16:09: Both McLaren drivers in Q3.

16:07: Mercedes in trouble! The drivers are in the pits and Hamilton is 10th, Russell 11th!

16:07: Verstappen goes into first place with a lead of 2 tenths over Leclerc.

16:05: Sainz wandered off the track.

16:04: yellow flags… Leclerc took the lead

16:03: Albon and Norris relegate Hamilton to 12th. But just for a moment… it’s already eight o’clock.

16:01: Top three riders in 0.085 of a second.

16:00:

1. ​Per
2. Ver
3. Lec
4. Alo
5. Sai
6. Str
7. Rus
8. Con
9. Oco
10. Ham
11. Alb
12. Pia
13. Bot
14. Sar
15. Nor (no time)

15:56: In the lead so far Alonso, who was among the first to leave.

15:52: The second part of the qualification begins…

First part of qualification (Q1)

15:46: Chou, Hülkenberg, Magnussen, Gasly and De Vries will not advance.

15:46: Leclerc first, Alonso third. But we are looking more at the end of the field…

15:42: Magnussen’s technical problems continue, he returns to the pits.

15:41: Pérez in the lead, but Verstappen immediately returns there.

15:37: Continuing…

15:35: We continue in two minutes.

15:29: And Sainz was in classes.

15:28: Gasly’s car damaged from all sides.

15:27: Gasly now in the wall after technical problems.

15:27: Another red flag for a big success. Sainz still out of time.

15:25: The FIA ​​investigated but ultimately did not investigate Verstappen over the headrest: “After reviewing the footage and inspecting the component, it is clear that it was fitted correctly and then broke, so no further investigation is required.”

15:24: We continue…

15:21: At 15:24 the qualification will continue.

15:16: The Marshals free the AlphaTauri from the barrier, but it is damaged.

15:13: Magnussen has a problem, apparently electronic. A problem with the fuel pump stopped him in practice.

15:08: De Vries in the barrier.

15:07: red flags.

15:07: They were probably still trying something at Ferrari. Sainz rode on used softs, now returning to new ones.

15:05: The order changes quickly, but Verstappen is already in the lead ahead of Leclerc.

15:01: Gasly is also on the track right from the start. All on soft tires for now.

15:00: Qualifying begins. Its course will be the same as usual – only it will be held on Friday.

14:53: The teams have only 45 minutes of driving. The practice session was interrupted by the problems of Gasly, whose car was smoking and flames appeared. Alpine changes the drive unit and transmission in the car. It will be tight…

14:52: Welcome to the online coverage of qualifying for Sunday’s race in Baku.