Charles Leclerc takes unexpected Baku pole
Charles Leclerc has produced a special performance in Baku to claim pole position at the unpredictable circuit.
Charles Leclerc receives the Pirelli pole position award. (Pirelli)
Leclerc set the ultimate time of 1:41.359 in the final stages of qualifying to best Sergio Perez and become the first driver to claim multiple pole positions on the street circuit.
"Taking pole position always feels good, but this one is particularly satisfying as I wasn’t expecting it," said Leclerc.
"Our competitors looked stronger than us, especially in Q1 and Q2."
"On my last run in Q3, everything came together."
"I don’t think I left much on the table and I am very happy with my lap."
It was the Monagasque driver's sixth pole position from eight races so far this year and his fifteenth career pole in Formula one, equalling Felipe Massa in third on the list for pole positions as a Ferrari driver.
Teammate Carlos Sainz was the fastest on the first run in Q3 but was unable to improve later in the session, leapfrogged by both Red Bulls and polesitter Leclerc.
Sergio Perez was the fastest Red Bull challenger and will start on the front row alongside Leclerc, with championship rival Max Verstappen in third.
"We were on the limit at times, chasing the lap time massively to try and improve but unfortunately we didn't manage to make the most out of it," said Perez.
"We had a little issue with the refuelling on my car in Q3, which meant we were out of sequence for our final lap but I still think that three tenths was probably too much to find to close the gap to Ferrari."
"I am still on the front row and it is a long race ahead where anything can happen, especially here."
Sergio Perez on-track during qualifying in Baku. (Getty Images/Red Bull)
Perez is on a run of form after taking out the Monaco Grand Prix, making his name as a legitimate title contender in the 2022 season.
"We have both cars in between the Ferraris which is a good thing," he said.
"Tomorrow we are going to work as a team to try and get Ferrari and it would be ideal to get a one-two – we are going to push them hard."
Lance Stroll was the unfortunate headline act in Q1, clipping the barriers before a second collision on the next lap brought out the red flag.
Teammate Sebastian Vettel had a lock-up at turn 15 in Q2 and slid into the barriers, bringing out the yellow flag and setting up a sprint to the chequered flag in the final minutes of the session.
Lando Norris was knocked out by just 0.022 seconds in eleventh, alongside teammate Daniel Ricciardo in twelfth.
"I really look forward to the race," said Leclerc.
"I love street tracks and it’s very special to push to the limit with the walls.
"Tyre management will be key."
"It’s an element we have managed well in the past two races, so I am optimistic and just want to finish the job."
Leclerc will lead the field away at 9.00pm on Sunday (AEST) for the always-exciting Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
2022 Formula One Championship - Baku Qualifying
- Charles Leclerc
- Sergio Perez
- Max Verstappen
- Carlos Sainz
- George Russell
- Pierre Gasly
- Lewis Hamilon
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Sebastian Vettel
- Fernando Alonso
- Lando Norris
- Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)
- Esteban Ocon
- Zhou Guanyu
- Valtteri Bottas
- Kevin Magnussen
- Alex Albon
- Nicholas Latifi
- Lance Stroll
- Mick Schumacher
