Max Verstappen on pole and Oscar Piastri crashes in chaotic F1 qualifying in Azerbaijan

By Canadian Press on September 20, 2025.

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Max Verstappen took pole position and championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed out in qualifying for Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix in a marathon session with constant crashes, rain and six red flags.

Red Bull’s Verstappen was fastest by .478 from Carlos Sainz, Jr. of Williams in a session that ran an hour past its scheduled time, longer than most races. Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls starts Sunday’s race a career-best third.

Piastri slammed into the barrier while chasing pole position on a track left slippery by earlier rainfall. His McLaren teammate Lando Norris was only seventh and couldn’t take full advantage of Piastri’s error.

Piastri qualified ninth ahead of Sunday’s race after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also crashed earlier.

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

The Associated Press