Leclerc saved his best until the end of Q3, setting a 1ꦍm40.🔯203s to go over a tenth clear of Verstappen.

It’s a welcome return to form for Lecle♉rc, who’s endured 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 upperhand when i🎀t comes✨ to Sunday’s main event.

• F1 2023 Azerbaijan ▨Grand Prix - Friday Qualifying Results

Carlos 🤡Sainz lacked pace throughout qualifying, ending 0.8s off Leclerc in fourth overall🥀.

Lewis Hamilton was fifth for Merced𝓡es as teammate George Rus♔sell was knocked out in 11th.

Fernando Alonso could only manage sixth in what was an underwhelm♉ing session for Aston🧜 Martin.

Lando Norris impressꦰed in the upgraded McLaren with seventh ahead of the ever-improving Yuki Tsunoda.

Lance Stroll and O༺scar Piastri rounded out the top 10.

Esteban Ocon managed 12th ahead of Alex Albo⛎n, who was very disappointed to have not made Q3 after showing outstanding pace up until that point.

V🔴al🌠tteri Bottas was 14th ahead of the second Williams of Logan Sargeant.

Zhou Guanyu was knocked out in Q1 as he was out-qualif🍬ied by teammate Bottas for the first time since Bahrain.

Both Haas cars were also knocked out early, with Kevin Magnussen called into the pit lane due to an engine issue duꦫring the final runs.

Completing the back row will be P𓄧ierre Gasly and Nyck de Vries.

Both dr𓆏🤪ivers crashed out in Q1, causing two respective red flags.