The Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session on Saturday at the Baku Street Circuit was marked by several interruptions, including multiple red flags that disrupted the flow and led to unexpected qualifying positions for some drivers. Among those affected was Charles Leclerc, whose challenges during this session highlighted ongoing difficulties as he aims to improve his performance this season.
Several incidents shaped the session, such as Oscar Piastri’s crash that delayed the start of Q3, while strong performances from Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson offered positive notes for Williams and Red Bull teams, respectively. However, Ferrari endured a difficult day as Leclerc and his teammates failed to meet their qualifying expectations.
Leclerc Reflects on Difficulties with Car Performance in Qualifying
After a promising Friday of practice sessions, where Leclerc secured second place behind Lewis Hamilton in the second practice, Saturday’s qualifying was much more challenging. Hamilton finished 12th in the qualifying round, missing Q3 by a fraction, while Leclerc suffered a crash early in the final session, ending up tenth on the grid.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after his crash, Leclerc openly acknowledged his struggles leading up to and during qualifying:
“I’ve been struggling massively. Normally I come to Baku and everything flows naturally but this year, unfortunately, it wasn’t the case. I kind of think I understood why and then in qualifying I changed the car and lot and changed the feeling, and the feeling was getting better until we actually put the medium tires and then everything went.”
Despite the setback, Leclerc expressed hope for race day, emphasizing that there is still a chance to recover ground:
“There is opportunity but it’s going to be tough to come back in the front. Normally it has been the other way around whenever I came here so I’m looking forward to turn the situation around.”
Reviewing Leclerc’s Qualifying Form Throughout the 2025 Season
Charles Leclerc’s qualifying sessions this season have yet to yield a pole position, with his highest qualifying ranks being second place at the Monaco, Bahrain, and Austria Grands Prix. Despite the absence of front-row starts, he has demonstrated consistency, making it through to Q3 at every race except once—at Imola during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
This steady performance contrasts with his teammate Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying record, who has yet to break into the top four positions this year and has failed to reach Q3 on five occasions. Hamilton’s best qualifying result of fifth underscores the difficulties Ferrari is facing in balancing performance across its drivers during Saturday’s sessions.
Implications of Saturday’s Qualifying for Ferrari and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
The struggles Ferrari faced during qualifying at Baku highlight growing concerns about car setup and race strategy as the team navigates a highly competitive season. Leclerc’s inability to find the natural feel he usually has at this circuit indicates deeper performance issues that will need addressing before race day. Meanwhile, other teams like Williams and Red Bull seized opportunities offered by the circuit and the disruptions, signaling an evolving midfield battle.
Leclerc’s optimistic attitude about race day suggests he is mentally prepared to attempt a recovery, despite the evident uphill battle. For Ferrari, improving qualifying consistency remains critical as their championship ambitions push forward. Observers and fans alike will be watching closely to see if the team can translate practice session promise into Saturday success and then into decisive race performance under pressure at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
