F1 Today | McLaren warns Verstappen is a title contender again
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated:
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Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
It was a chaotic day in Baku, with Max Verstappen claiming pole position for Sunday's race. Catch up with all the key stories of the day here!
Max Verstappen claimed pole ahead of Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson - Photo: Race Pictures
Max Verstappen comes out on top in qualifying
Max Verstappen secured his second pole position in a row, breaking Charles Leclerc's streak of four at the Baku City Circuit.
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In tricky conditions, Carlos Sainz finished in second place, and Liam Lawson completed the top three.
There were six red flags in total in qualifying, as the session lasted longer than last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself.
In Q3, both Leclerc and Oscar Piastri crashed out, each bringing out a red flag. Lando Norris couldn’t capitalize on his teammate’s rare mistake and finished seventh.
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Andrea Stella - Photo: Race Pictures
Stella warns Verstappen is in the title battle again
While Verstappen will start from pole position, the McLaren drivers will line up P7 (Norris) and P9 (Piastri) for Sunday’s race.
After the session, McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella spoke about Verstappen's chances of defending his world title.
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"They have taken a new floor in Monza. They might be setting up their car slightly differently. We hear now the staff talking about [the car] grounding much more than it was doing before.
"So they might have a lot of performance. And I would not be surprised at all that Red Bull may continue the streak that they have started, because pole position in Monza, victory [there as well], pole position here.
"Red Bull are a very serious contender to win races and a very serious contender for the Drivers' Championship," the Italian explained.
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Verstappen on Red Bull turning things around
After winning the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen has now also taken his second pole position in a row at the Baku City Circuit.
"Ultimately, you always have difficult moments. And of course, sometimes you think, 'Will this ever work out?'
"But on the other hand, there's no point in continuing to think like that. You should always try to think of solutions. And talk to people, exchange ideas, that sort of thing," he concluded.
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