Where was Lando Norris when Lando Norris needed him? As the Drivers’ Championship nears its conclusion, time and races are running out. Norris still has a mathematical chance of catching and surpassing rival Max Verstappen. McLaren had the second-fastest car on the grid today on the streets of Baku, but the margins were razor-thin.

When the margins are tight, the pressure intensifies. During Lando’s final run in Q1, he appeared to be overdriving. Then, he got caught in the crosswinds of waved yellow flags, forcing him to slow down just when he needed to set a benchmark time. It was to no avail—Norris was out of Q1, and his strategy of piling pressure on Max Verstappen lay in ruins.

Meanwhile at the front Charles Leclerc continued his dominance at the Baku City Circuit, securing his fourth consecutive pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver outpaced Oscar Piastri by a comfortable margin in the final Q3 session, showcasing Ferrari’s strong pace on the high-speed street circuit.

Despite flashes of speed from Red Bull throughout qualifying, they were unable to match Ferrari’s pace. Sergio Pérez narrowly edged out Max Verstappen to secure fourth on the grid, while George Russell rounded out the top five in his Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton, known for his prowess in Baku, struggled to get his tires up to optimal temperature. The seven-time world champion ultimately qualified seventh, behind Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin. Meanwhile, Williams enjoyed a strong qualifying session with Franco Colapinto and Alex Albon making it into Q3. However, Albon’s final lap was compromised by a malfunctioning airbox fan, which hindered his chances of a higher grid position.

As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches, Leclerc’s pole position and Ferrari’s overall performance position them as favorites for the race. However, with the unpredictability of street circuits and the potential for safety car periods, anything can happen on race day.