Summary

  • Max Verstappen takes Azerbaijan GP pole

  • Seven crashes in chaotic qualifying

  • Sainz to start second, Lawson third

  • Norris seventh and Piastri ninth

  • Piastri and Leclerc crash in Q3, Hamilton knocked out in Q2

  • Select 'listen live' at top of page for Sports Extra commentary (UK only)

  • Get involved: #bbcf1, f1@bbc.co.uk, WhatsApp on 03301231826

Live Reporting

Lorraine McKenna and Alicia Turner

  1. Alex Albon has looked impressive in his Williams and currently sits in third, seven-tenths off Lando Norris' time.

    Kimi Antonelli and George Russell round out the top five.

  2. Norris P1

    Yes they can, Lando Norris goes fastest on the soft tyre setting a time of 1:41.223.

    Oscar Piastri is yet to set a time.

    The drivers are pushing to the limits now and are skimming the walls ever so slightly.

  3. The final laps are coming in thick and fast now, can the McLaren drivers upset leader Max Verstappen?

  4. 'Could be an exciting qualifying'

    Andrew Benson
    BBC F1 correspondent

    I would say, at the moment, it's looking like quite an interesting battle for pole between the two Ferraris, particularly Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and the two McLarens. It's boding quite well for an exciting qualifying session so far.

    We've got the quali simulation runs coming up, that will give us even more of an indication of how things might play out.

    Charles LeclercReuters

  5. Abbi Pulling
    F1 Academy champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Ferrari are definitely laying their mark down and saying, we're here to fight for polethis afternoon. But Max Verstappen is an arm's length away to be honest, six tenths down the road from Charles Leclerc in P2.

  6. The Ferrari drivers have looked strong all session with Charles Leclerc in second, 0.601 seconds behind leader Max Verstappen, with Lewis Hamilton in third.

    Work is being done on both the McLaren cars, let's see what they can do in the final 15 minutes.

  7. Team radio - Leclerc to Ferrari

    Leclerc: "Yeah, check the suspension."

    Engineer: "We're checking."

  8. Does Verstappen hold key to World Championship?

    Does Verstappen hold key to the F1 title?

    With Red Bull potentially in the mix at the front this weekend, as they were two weeks ago at Monza, BBC Sport's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson explains how Max Verstappen could play a vital role in deciding which of the McLaren team-mates, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, will be crowned F1 champion in 2025.

  9. Verstappen goes top

    Talking about Max Verstappen, check out this fan drawing of him!

    The Dutchman won last time out in Monza and will be looking to keep the momentum going. He sets a time of 1:41.727 on the soft tyre.

    Fans at BakuGetty Images

  10. 'Never write out Verstappen'

    Abbi Pulling
    F1 Academy champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I always say, you can never write Max Verstappen out. He's always a character that will put in a lap when it counts. He'll claw that Red Bull up the order no matter what.

  11. George Russell has been unwell for the past few days but he's certainly sounding better on the team radio as he tells his team that he's "all over the place with this wind".

    The Brit currently sits in 12th on the soft tyre, with his team-mate Kimi Antonelli two places above him in 10th.

  12. Impressive rookie season for Bortoleto

    Andrew Benson
    BBC F1 correspondent

    Gabriel BortoletoGetty Images

    I think Gabriel Bortoleto has been in every escape road around this track over the course ofthe weekend so far!

    But an interesting stat; Gabriel Bortoleto has outqualified Nico Hulkenberg every single race sine Canada. So, just goes to show what an impressive rookie season he is having.

  13. Top 5

    1) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +1:42.354

    2) Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

    3) Carlos Sainz (Williams)

    4) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

    5) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

  14. Team radio - Gasly to Alpine

    "I hit the wall. Inside of Turn Six. ****, my thumb."

  15. Piastri goes top

    The times are tumbling and the McLarens are determined to prove their speed around this twisty and tight circuit.

    Oscar Piastri jumps to the top on the soft tyre with a 1:42.726.

    Oscar PiastriReuters

  16. 'Turn 16 a sore point'

    Abbi Pulling
    F1 Academy champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Turn 16 seems to be quite a sore point for everyone, that last turn on to the straight, leading down to Turn One, they're all struggling to perfect that and are making quite a few mistakes.

  17. Hamilton P1

    The majority of the drivers are on the soft compound tyre.

    Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton goes fastest with a time of 1:42.988.

    His team-mate Charles Leclerc is second, 0.060 seconds behind.

    Ferrari had a positive day on Friday and will be hoping for the same today.

  18. 'Ferrari has pace on medium tyre'

    Abbi Pulling
    F1 Academy champion on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Lewis Hamilton topping the times yesterday - although he did get a sneaky tow from his team-mate Charles Leclerc - but he's proven that Ferrari has the pace on that medium compound. So that's probably where they're thinking they can get the advantage in qualifying.

  19. Leclerc P1

    Charles Leclerc goes fastest on the soft tyre with a time of 1:43.048.

    Leclerc has taken the last four pole positions in Baku and even though he doesn’t think he will be battling at the top for a win, he said "never say never".

  20. Team radio - McLaren to Norris

    Engineer: "Lando, thoughts on front wing?"

    Norris: "I mean, it's just sketchy everywhere for the time being. Every corner feels worse, I would say."