Leclerc qualifies second, Hamilton sixth for Ferrari at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc qualified second for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit, with Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton sixth after brushing the wall in Q3.
- 1’43”363
- 1’43”858
- 25 degrees
- 39 degrees
What Happened
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc qualified second for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton sixth. Qualifying took place in air temperature of 25 degrees and track temperature of 39 degrees. Both Ferrari drivers ran new Soft tyres in every session and progressed through Q1 and Q2. Their cars are referred to as the SF-26.
On new Soft tyres, Hamilton posted 1’44”857 then improved to 1’44”260, while Leclerc started with 1’45”401 and then set 1’44”360. Both made it through.
Both SF-26s on new Softs: Leclerc set 1’43”835 then 1’43”780, and Hamilton set 1’44”077 then improved to 1’44”037. Both reached the final phase.
On another set of new Soft tyres for two flying laps, Leclerc set 1’43”472 while Hamilton posted 1’44”456 after losing time when he brushed the wall. On their second attempts Leclerc improved to 1’43”363 for the second-fastest time and Hamilton to 1’43”858 for sixth.
- 1’43”363 (second)
- 1’43”858 (sixth)
1’43”363
Second-fastest time in the final qualifying phase in Baku
Hamilton lost time on his first Q3 flying lap when he brushed the wall, leaving him with a 1’44”456. He still improved on his second attempt, getting down to 1’43”858. He was unable to find a tow on the final straight, which moved him back up to sixth place. Leclerc's 1’43”363 was the second-fastest time of the session.
Previously from Ferrari N.V.
Both Ferrari drivers had shown pace in practice earlier in the Baku weekend before qualifying. In the final free practice session, Hamilton set the third-fastest time and Leclerc the fifth in blustery conditions. Ferrari had completed 97 laps on the opening day of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Leclerc and Hamilton ending the second session fourth and fifth.
- Hamilton third, Leclerc fifth for Ferrari in final Azerbaijan GP practice
- Ferrari logs 97 laps in Azerbaijan GP practice as Leclerc and Hamilton chase pace
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Ferrari N.V.'s official releases.
Why this matters
Qualifying decides where Ferrari's two drivers start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Leclerc's second place puts him on the front row, while Hamilton's sixth means he lines up further back and must make up ground in the race. It is the team's final reference point before the race itself.
Terms in This Story
- Soft tyres
- The softest and fastest dry-weather tyre compound; it gives the most grip but wears out quickest.
- Flying lap
- A full-speed timed lap, as opposed to an out-lap or in-lap used to enter or leave the pits.
- Tow
- A slipstream from a car ahead that can cut drag and improve lap time on a straight.
- SF-26
- The name Ferrari uses for its 2026 Formula 1 car, referred to in the source as the SF-26.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.