Getting off to a good start with a stunning lap, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took a third consecutive pole position in Baku in the qualifying round. He is also the first non Red Bull driver of the season to take a pole position this season.  Le Clerc, who tends to excel at street races, stands a good chance of taking the title this weekend. 

BBC Sport reported that Le Clerc had stated, “For sure I'm surprised. We came into the weekend thinking it would be a great weekend if we are in front of Mercedes and Aston in qualifying and in the end we are on pole. I was very happy with the lap.

"We must not forget our race car is still behind the Red Bulls so it will be difficult to keep the lead but that is the target."

Max Verstappen finished second to start alongside Leclerc on Sunday's front row while Red Bull’s Perez and Ferrari’s Sainz will fill the second row on Sunday’s grid. 

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, having had a great start to the season thus far, will start in 6th behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Unfortunately, Hamilton’s Mercedes team mate, George Russel did not manage to finish his session and will be starting in 11th on the grid. 

Nyck de Vries and Pierre Gasly crashed out respectively in session one at turn three putting them on the sidelines. Red flags were brought out on both occasions and we thus see de Vries and Gasly both starting from behind this weekend. 

Being the first Sprint race of the season, the teams as well as individuals are looking  to make their mark. The sprint and sprint shootout will take place tomorrow. 

The  Azerbaijan Grand Prix race will take place on Sunday, the 30th of April, at 1pm at the Baku City Circuit. 

Kayla Barker/OFM Sport