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F1 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Starting Grid Confirmed After Dramatic Baku Qualifying and Shock Disqualification

 

The provisional starting grid for the 2025 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has now been confirmed, with drama both on and off the track shaping the order of Sunday’s race. Qualifying at the Baku City Circuit delivered one of the most chaotic sessions of the season so far, featuring a record-breaking six red flag interruptions, several high-profile crashes, and the disqualification of Haas driver Esteban Ocon.

 

At the top of the grid, Max Verstappen once again showcased his dominance. The Red Bull star delivered a flawless lap in the closing stages of Q3, claiming pole position by almost half a second ahead of the rest of the field. His performance was particularly impressive given the disruptions throughout qualifying, with many drivers struggling to find rhythm on the demanding Baku street circuit.

 

Joining Verstappen on the front row will be Carlos Sainz, who produced a surprise lap for Williams to take second place. It marks a remarkable turnaround for the Spanish driver and for Williams, who have been gradually building competitiveness throughout the 2025 campaign. Behind them, Liam Lawson seized a sensational third for Racing Bulls, capitalising on the stop-start nature of qualifying to earn his best starting position of the year.

 

Mercedes also made their presence felt, with young prodigy Kimi Antonelli putting together a strong performance to secure fourth on the grid. He will line up alongside his experienced teammate George Russell, who claimed fifth. Red Bull’s second driver, Yuki Tsunoda, rounded out the third row in sixth, ensuring that the Milton Keynes outfit has both cars starting inside the top six.

 

McLaren endured a mixed afternoon. Lando Norris managed to salvage seventh place, but his teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri was one of several victims of Baku’s unforgiving walls. A crash in Q3 left the Australian unable to improve his lap time, restricting him to ninth place on the grid. In between the two McLarens, Isack Hadjar impressed once again for Racing Bulls, taking eighth position.

 

For Ferrari, the session proved to be another painful reminder of inconsistency. Charles Leclerc crashed during his flying lap but still managed to secure tenth, while teammate Lewis Hamilton could do no better than 12th. The two Scuderia drivers will have a fight on their hands if they hope to climb through the field during Sunday’s Grand Prix.

 

Further down the order, Fernando Alonso will start 11th for Aston Martin, just ahead of Hamilton, while Sauber’s rookie Gabriel Bortoleto put in a respectable performance to take 13th. Lance Stroll followed in 14th for Aston Martin, with Haas rookie Oliver Bearman in 15th. Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber), and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) filled the next three slots on the grid.

 

One of the biggest surprises of qualifying was the underperformance of Alex Albon, who could only manage 19th in his Williams after struggling to hook up a clean lap.

 

Finally, the biggest talking point came from Esteban Ocon, who had his qualifying results disqualified following a breach of technical regulations related to the rear wing. While Haas requested and were granted special permission from the FIA stewards to allow Ocon to take part in the race, he will start from the back of the grid in 20th.

 

With Verstappen leading from the front and a mix of surprise contenders and championship rivals scattered throughout the order, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to deliver another dramatic chapter in the 2025 season.

 

Provisional Starting Grid – 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

 

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

 

 

2. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

 

 

3. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

 

 

4. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

 

 

5. George Russell (Mercedes)

 

 

6. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)

 

 

7. Lando Norris (McLaren)

 

 

8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

 

 

9. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

 

 

10. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

 

 

11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

 

 

12. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

 

 

13. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

 

 

14. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

 

 

15. Oliver Bearman (Haas)

 

 

16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

 

 

17. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber)

 

 

18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

 

 

19. Alex Albon (Williams)

 

 

20. Esteban Ocon (Haas) disqualified from qualifying

 

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