Why McLaren enters Azerbaijan GP with edge on Verstappen

Already during qualifying, strategies between teams and drivers differed. Some believed the mediums were quicker, others opted for softs during different moments.

With six red flags, many runs had to be paused as well, so teams had to decide whether to use new sets or save them for later.

For the Azerbaijan GP, out of the frontrunners, all drivers will have two hard tyres available to them for Sunday.

McLaren also has an advantage over its rivals, including Max Verstappen. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both have a fresh set of mediums available to them. After his elimination in Q2, Lewis Hamilton also has two sets of brand new mediums at his disposal.

The Ferrari drivers and Kimi Antonelli also have a new set of softs, should they need them at a certain point of the race.

According to the tyre manufacturer Pirelli, today's Grand Prix will be a one-stopper at the Baku City Circuit.

The Italians believe teams will either start on the mediums or on the hards, and then switch from one to another.

Another option is to start on softs, undercut rivals, and switch to hards.

Given the proximity of the walls, strategy plans can quickly be thrown into disarray by Safety Cars or red flags.

After a session with six red flags in total, the four-time world champion secured his second pole position in a row at the Baku City Circuit.

Carlos Sainz will line up alongside the Dutchman, while Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli complete the second row of the grid this Sunday.

The two championship rivals, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, will start seventh and ninth respectively. Today, McLaren could also secure its second constructors' championship in a row.

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