Charles Leclerc experienced a crash during the final phase of qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending his session prematurely amid rapidly changing weather conditions. The Ferrari driver lost control at Turn 15 with seven minutes remaining in Q3, striking the barriers and severely damaging his car, which triggered a red flag.
Multiple Crashes Disrupt Qualifying Timing and Rhythm
Qualifying in Baku was heavily disrupted by several accidents, causing unusually long delays and pushing the start of Q3 to over 20 minutes later than planned. Earlier incidents involving Alex Albon, Nico Hulkenberg, Franco Colapinto, and Ollie Bearman had already halted proceedings during Q1 and Q2 rounds, setting a tense tone before Leclerc’s crash added a fifth red flag.
The Monegasque driver was attempting his first flying lap in Q3 while a light drizzle began to fall, complicating the track conditions. Max Verstappen, observing the shifting track grip, communicated the slippery surface to his race engineer as the rain moved in from the Caspian Sea.
Leclerc’s Crash Halts Session as Conditions Deteriorate
With rivals Carlos Sainz, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar successfully completing their laps to lock in the top three times, Leclerc’s misjudgment led to his Ferrari slamming nose-first into the tyre barriers at Turn 15. His car’s position blocked the circuit, and debris scattered across the track forced the session to be stopped while he climbed out of the wreck.
This accumulation of five red flags equaled the record for the most stoppages in a single qualifying session, matching previous sessions in the 2024 Sao Paolo Grand Prix and the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Implications for Leclerc and Upcoming Race Strategy
Leclerc’s Azerbaijan crash significantly hampers his chances of a strong grid position for Sunday’s race, especially under unpredictable weather. The disruptions and slippery conditions underline the challenges drivers face on the Baku street circuit, where precision is crucial. How the teams adapt their strategies to the wet track evolving over the weekend will be critical in determining race outcomes.
