Formula 1 News: Verstappen wins rain hit 2025 Azerbaijan GP pole

The best driver in the world, Max Verstappen (pictured), turned a lap of 1m41.117s on a partially wet track in his Red Bull RB21 to win the pole for the 2025 Azerbaijan GP on the Baku City Circuit. For awhile it appeared that Carlos Sainz Jr. would be on pole, but he had to settle for 2nd, 0.478s behind Verstappen.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Carlos Sainz Jr. turned a lap of 1m41.595s in Q3 in his Williams, just before a rain shower made the track slick and was atop the timing until the final seconds when Verstappen does what Verstappen does – destroy the confidence of his opponents.

It was Verstappen’s 6th pole of the year despite driving the Rb21 dog. Yuki Tsunoda in the same RB21 was over 1 second slower than Verstappen.

“A long Qualifying to be honest, with so many red flags,” said a happy Verstappen. “Hard to get your tires in condition with so many stoppages. The last lap you just have to send it, I wasn’t even on the best tires; with the red flags, you run out of tires.

“We definitely were in there for pole, but I’m just happy as since Monza we as a team are doing a better job.”

“Very happy! We nailed the Qualifying today, always on the right tire at the right time and some very good laps,” said Sainz. “We are P2, it is great news.

“Plan for tomorrow – try and stick it on the podium. I am going to try my best to give Williams a first podium.”

Liam Lawson was third fastest in his Racing Bulls, 0.590s behind Verstappen.

“I can’t even remember what happened; it was so busy,” said Lawson. “I didn’t expect it to be like that honestly. The car has been good all weekend, so massive thanks to the team.

“You can see the rain on your visor, but the tires are warm, so you have grip, so you try to fight your brain and keep pushing.

“We have a great starting position, but we are aware of who we are fighting tomorrow.”

Kimi Antonelli was 4th for Mercedes, 0.600s behind Verstappen.

Antonelli’s teammate George Russell rounded out the top-5, 0.953s behind Verstappen.

Lando Norris also tried to knock Sainz off pole, but he is not as talented as Verstappen on a slick track and could only set the 7th best time.

With points leader Oscar Piastri having crashed out in the #81 McLaren, Norris could have really capitalized today. But his last run was so, so scruffy. Too many mistakes, and instead of putting perhaps seven cars between him and his championship rival, they will start nose to tail in seventh and ninth.

The session was interrupted by six red flags in a session that lasted longer than any full race this year. A mixed up top 10. Lando Norris in seventh, Oscar Piastri ninth. Charles Leclerc only P10, Hamilton out in Q2 only 12th. A big opportunity for some huge midfield points tomorrow.

Verstappen has Sainz Jr. alongside on the front row.

Lawson and Antonelli are on the second row – two drivers under pressure for similar reasons both delivering.

Russell is on the third row with Tsunoda, who is also under some pressure, and while his time was much slower than his teammate, in the conditions to nail a lap for sixth is still credible.

That being said, it could yet rain again tomorrow as well.

You can’t bet against the Dutchman making it back-to-back wins, but what does all of this mean for the Championship?

2025 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying Results