Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix amid a dramatic qualifying session that saw a record six red flags. Oscar Piastri, a leading championship contender, crashed out early, while fellow competitors Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon also encountered difficulties, with Hamilton expressing disappointment over his Q2 exit. The unpredictable session on the Baku streets raised tensions as multiple crashes added to the chaos, emphasizing the challenges drivers faced on the narrow track.