During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session in Baku, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri both crashed, ending their runs prematurely and shaking up the grid. The crashes occurred amid worsening track conditions as a light drizzle made the surface slippery, forcing drivers to adapt quickly on the narrow, challenging street circuit.
Leclerc was first to crash, locking up his tires in Turn 15 and striking the barrier hard on his first flying lap in Q3, damaging the front end of his SF25. Shortly after the track was cleared, Piastri lost control exiting Turn 3 and hit the barrier, sustaining damage to his front right but ending his chance for the pole position.
Multiple Interruptions Mark a Tumultuous Qualifying Session
The qualifying session at Baku was marked by numerous incidents, producing a record six red flags as drivers struggled on the tricky layout. Alex Albon was the first to crash, triggering a chain reaction. The 20% chance of rain materialized just before Q3, making the track slick and forcing drivers to rush out for their flying laps.
As a result of the conditions and incidents, the session became a test of skill and nerve, leaving several favorites scrambling to improve their times while others, like Leclerc and Piastri, faced early exits from qualifying.
McLaren Faces Setbacks as Both Drivers Miss Top Five
McLaren’s weekend in Baku was fraught with difficulty, after Lando Norris also struggled in qualifying. Norris, who hit the barriers during FP2, managed to continue but ultimately qualified 7th despite showing strong pace early in practice and FP3 where both McLaren drivers were inside the top three.
Oscar Piastri started the weekend with strong pace but his crash in Q3 ended any hopes of securing pole. He will begin the race from 9th on the grid, just behind teammate Norris. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, who avoided incidents, secured pole position, capitalizing on the slippery conditions.
Conditions and Crashes Illustrate the High Stakes in Baku
The combination of a slippery track and high stakes made Baku qualifying an intense spectacle, with tire grip and braking accuracy critical factors. Both Leclerc’s and Piastri’s crashes highlight the fine margin for error on such a demanding street circuit.
For Ferrari and McLaren, who entered qualifying as strong contenders, the events may complicate race strategy and championship hopes, especially with Verstappen and Red Bull showing strong pace. Drivers and teams must now regroup and adjust their approaches as the race looms.
Looking Ahead: The Race and Its Impact on the Championship Battle
With the qualifying session disrupted by six red flags and the weather playing a defining role, the Azerbaijan GP race promises to be unpredictable. Charles Leclerc crash Baku incidents underline the challenges drivers face when pushing limits on tight circuits.
As the competition intensifies, especially between Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull, fans and teams will be eager to see how the race unfolds, whether drivers can avoid mistakes, and how those who qualified lower can fight through the field.
“The Monegasque locked up the inside front going into the corner and slammed into the barrier, bringing out the red flag. The whole front end was damaged, and as Charles Leclerc jumped out of the car, he threw his gloves into the cockpit in frustration.” – Pranay Bhagi, Motorsports Journalist
“With the drizzle making the already difficult-to-navigate circuit ever trickier, drivers were just feeling the grip going into every corner. Unfortunately for Oscar Piastri, he didn’t brake hard enough into Turn 3, went in way too quickly, didn’t have the grip, ran wide, slammed the car into the barrier, and damaged the front right.” – Pranay Bhagi, Motorsports Journalist
“Lando Norris on the other hand made major contact with the tech pro barrier on his final Q3 lap, was able to continue, but only managed to qualify P7 as the others improved on a slippery track.” – Pranay Bhagi, Motorsports Journalist
Rewind to Leclerc's Turn 15 crash 💥#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/LRTNJTm8JA
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 20, 2025
The championship leader slams into the barriers 💥#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/9Qvx6K3TwG
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 20, 2025
