F1 Azerbaijan GP LIVE: Qualifying times and results as Lando Norris eliminated in disaster for McLaren

Norris eliminated in Q1 in huge blow to his championship chances ahead of Sunday’s race in Baku

Adrian Newey unveiled as Aston Martin's new Managing Technical Partner

Lando Norris’ title hopes were dealt a huge blow after he suffered a shock elimination from the first part of qualifying as Charles Leclerc took pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the fourth year in a row.

The British driver arrived in the Land of Fire bidding to turn up the heat on championship leader Max Verstappen, having taken 16 points out of the three-time world champion’s title lead across the last two races.

But the 24-year-old said he was caught out by yellow flags down the long final straight, backing off and unable to improve his time, meaning he will start Sunday’s race from 17th on the grid.

Verstappen, who leads the drivers’ championship by 62 points with eight races remaining, was not imperious, managing only sixth on the grid as Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri claimed second ahead of Carlos Sainz and the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

Follow live updates from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES

• Charles Leclerc claims pole position in Baku; Piastri 2nd; Sainz 3rd
• Click HERE for the top-10 in qualifying
• Lando Norris astonishingly knocked out in Q1, also out: Ricciardo, Bottas, Zhou, Ocon
• Ollie Bearman knocked out in Q2, also out: Tsunoda, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Stroll
• Max Verstappen has a 62-point lead to Lando Norris with eight races to go

[14 September 2024 13:38 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton in ninth!

Hamilton will need to go quicker, just a few tenths faster than Franco Colapinto in P11.

Ollie Bearman is looking good in seventh!

Current bottom-five (11-15): Colapinto, Alonso, Gasly, Tsunoda, Stroll

3:00 to go.

[14 September 2024 13:34 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Fernando Alonso down in P12!

Fernando Alonso has work to do in 12th, with team-mate Lance Stroll also in 15th.

Current bottom-five (11-15): Colapinto, Alonso, Gasly, Tsunoda, Stroll

Charles Leclerc down in P9 after first runs. Top-3: Verstappen, Perez, Piastri

8:00 to go in Q2.

[14 September 2024 13:28 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Q2 underway!

Q2 underway then... without second in the championship involved!

15 minutes where we’ll lose the slowest five drivers again.

[14 September 2024 13:27 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris...

“The car was good. People did their second laps and I didn’t. I had to lift.

“It is what it is, long race ahead. We have some good tyres in the bank, just try and be hopeful. Still hopeful we can get a good result. Bit frustrating.”

(F1)

[14 September 2024 13:21 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris is out in Q1!

Oh my goodness! A nightmare for Lando Norris!

Norris is out of qualifying and is down in P17! What a nightmare! He boxed on his final lap after going wide at turn 16!

Bottom-five and out in Q1 (16-20): Ricciardo, Norris, Bottas, Zhou, Ocon

Alonso escapes in P15, with Bearman in P14.

Wow! That is beyond disastrous for the championship contender for the race tomorrow.

(Getty Images)

[14 September 2024 13:15 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton fourth-fastest

The Mercedes boys put on the softs and get themselves safe - Hamilton P4. Russell P2.

Current bottom-five (16-20): Stroll, Ocon, Botas, Ricciardo, Zhou

Ollie Bearman in P14 right now, he’ll have to go quicker...

3:00 to go. Here they all come for their final laps.

A reminder: Zhou Guanyu will start at the back of the grid after changing engines...

[14 September 2024 13:11 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Franco Colapinto third-fastest!

Impressive lap from the rookie, who goes third-fastest for Williams!

Current bottom-five (16-20): Bottas, Ricciardo, Gasly, Zhou, Ocon

George Russell teetering above the drop-zone in P15 on his medium tyre run.

8:00 to go. Plenty of time yet...

[14 September 2024 13:07 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Sergio Perez quickest early on

Perez goes quicker than Verstappen early on with a 1:43:436, with Leclerc splitting the Red Bulls.

Interestingly, both Mercedes cars are on mediums to start with - and the rest of the field is on softs!

Bit strange... are they trying to save a pair of softs for Q3?

12:00 to go in Q1.

[14 September 2024 13:03 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Q1 underway!

Lewis Hamilton among the numerous cars straight out on track as qualifying begins in Baku!

18 minutes for Q1, where we will lose the slowest five drivers from the rest of qualifying...

[14 September 2024 12:59 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: It’s hot in Baku!

In contrast to this morning’s cold practice session, the sun is out and the track temperature is up to 38C!

Q1 coming right up!