George Russell will start from pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku after being fastest in all three qualifying sessions.
It was a strong and controlled performance from Russell, who topped Q1, Q2 and Q3 before securing the front of the grid. After qualifying, he said he was feeling good but would not take anything for granted. Russell also pointed out that Kimi Antonelli has started lower down the order before and still finished on the top step, so he was not treating the result as a done deal.
Antonelli's Q1 setback
Kimi Antonelli had a much tougher session. During Q1, he hit the wall and qualified 16th for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. That leaves him with work to do on race day, especially at a street circuit where track position can matter quickly.
Russell's pole is also notable because several other front-running names did not end up where they might have expected. Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri are among the drivers affected by a session that produced a mixed order for the top contenders.
Other reactions after qualifying
There was encouragement for Williams, too, with Carlos Sainz saying a small floor upgrade helped boost morale. He qualified ninth and said the team had been trying to get out of the hole it had put itself in. Sainz also said it would be very tough on Sunday, but he would take the positives from making Q3 for the first time this year.
Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes were much quicker on the straights, while Max Verstappen blamed battery and engine issues for hurting his qualifying. Lando Norris said he pushed the braking too much and qualified fifth, adding that the car was not bad but that straight-line speed remained a problem.
said it would return on Saturday at 11:00 BST for build-up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
