Once again, a red flag precipitated the end of the classification in this exciting Formula 1 World Championship. Different protagonist, but identical winner: Charles Leclerc got the first position in the chronicle of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and has his second consecutive pole. Yuki Tsunoda’s accident, the umpteenth of the weekend, forced the end of a surreal but spectacular qualifying in Baku. The Monegasque Ferrari driver will start this Sunday in the first position with Hamilton and Verstappen behind.
For his part, Carlos Sainz will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from fifth position . The red flag once again frustrated the Madrid’s last attempt in the clock, but he remains in the fight. As for Fernando Alonso, the Alpine driver managed to get into Q3 and will start eighth after the suspension of Lando Norris, who drops to ninth.
CHARLES LECLERC IS ON POLE POSITION‼️
He leads from Hamilton (P2) and Verstappen (P3)#AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿 #F1 pic.twitter.com/LkHKtu0YbE
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2021
Two years later, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix once again hosted a qualification. The Baku Street Circuit, as difficult for the driver as it is attractive for the spectator, was hosting a time trial that started with very bad omens for the Mercedes , perhaps the worst in recent years for Hamilton and Bottas. The opportunity for Red Bull was unique, both for a Checo Pérez who flew in free practice and for Max Verstappen , who wants to hit the table in Baku in the general classification.
For their part, the feelings were very good for Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso . The Ferraris were running fast in Baku, although less than in Monaco, and Sainz tried to resist getting off a podium that he first touched in red at the last Grand Prix. As for Alonso, the Alpine returned to have the benefits of Portimao and Barcelona and the Asturian was excited with a sixth place on Friday and a seventh in the last free practice session.
Two red flags in Q1
The session started with absolute prominence for Turn 15. Lance Stroll became the third victim of a very difficult corner for the drivers, something that was evident after the accidents of Leclerc and Verstappen in free practice. Red flag and wait for the workers to clean the area to resume the session. However, turn 15 claimed another victim shortly after with Antonio Giovinazzi, who crashed in the same place and forced the second red flag of the classification.
🚨 Q1 CLASSIFICATION 🚨
Hamilton leads the way but the Red Bull drivers aren’t far behind 👀#AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿 #F1 pic.twitter.com/seo9QEAFds
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2021
In addition to Stroll and Giovinazzi, the two Haas – Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher – and Latifi’s Williams missed the cut in Q1. The first qualifying session finished with Lewis Hamilton on top. It is always risky to rule out the seven-time world champion in the fight for pole.
Fernando Alonso sneaks into Q3
The Formula 1 of equality and maximum excitement seemed like it had to wait for 2022, but it is already here. Q2 concluded with the top-five separated by just 34 hundredths , with the Red Bulls leading with Lewis Hamilton in third place. With less than a minute and a half to go, Daniel Ricciardo crashed his car forcing the third red flag in qualifying.
🏁 Q2 CLASSIFICATION 🏁
The gap between the top five = 0.034s 🤯#AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿 #F1 pic.twitter.com/4K8xJvcnuZ
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2021
Therefore, the final finishing touch was put on the second qualifying session with the great news of Fernando Alonso’s move to Q3 . The Asturian surpassed his teammate Esteban Ocon for the first time in the classification from Bahrain and confirmed the improvement of his Alpine. Along with the Asturian’s teammate in Alpine, Vettel , Ricciardo , Raikkonen and Russell were eliminated in Q2.
Another red flag gives Leclerc pole
It is difficult to imagine a more exciting final qualifying session: two Spaniards in the top 10, up to five drivers fighting for pole position and the Baku Street Circuit as witness. The sneak game put Leclerc first with Hamilton second on the first attempt in Q3, but there were five minutes to go to the end of qualifying.
Finally, another red flag precipitated, as in Monaco, the end of a classification. The one who had provoked it in the last Grand Prix took his second consecutive pole: Charles Leclerc . The Monegasque will start this Sunday in Baku from the first position with Hamilton second and Verstappen in third place.
