F1 Azerbaijan GP: Charles Leclerc outclasses Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to claim pole
Leclerc saved his best until t෴he end of Q3, setting a 1m40ಌ.203s to go over a tenth clear of Verstappen.
It’s a welcome return to form for Leclerc, who’s endur꧂ed a terrible start to F1 2023 with two DNFs in the opening three races.
Red Bull secured second and third on the grid, and it’s likely they will have the upperha꧟nd when it comes to Sunday’s main event.
Carlos Sainz lacked pace throughout qualifওyi✃ng, ending 0.8s off Leclerc in fourth overall.
Lewis Hamilton was 🎐fifth for Mercedes as teammate George Russell was kno🐭cked out in 11th.
Fernando Alonso could only manage sixth in what was𓆏 an underwhelmin🍌g session for Aston Martin.
Lando Norris impressed in the upgr💃aded McLaren with seventh ahead of the ever-improving 🌳Yuki Tsunoda.
Lance Stroll 𒁃and Oscar ♈Piastri rounded out the top 10.
Esteban Oc🐭on managed 12th ahead of Alex Albon, who 👍was very disappointed to have not made Q3 after showing outstanding pace up until that point.
Valtteri Bottas was 14th ahead of the second Wiꩲ🐻lliams of Logan Sargeant.
Zhou Guanyu was knocked out in Q1 as he was outꦯ-qualified by teammate 🦩Bottas for the first time since Bahrain.
Both Haas c꧙ars were also knocked out early, with Kevin Mꩲagnussen called into the pit lane due to an engine issue during the final runs.
Completing the back row🐷 will be Pierre Gasly and Nyck de Vr🉐ies.
Both drivers crashed out in Q1, causi🐟ng two respective red flags.
With a sharp eye for F1’s co♒ntroversies and storylines, Connor is the heartbeat of our unbiased reporting.
