Norris's F1 title hopes hit in Baku after dire qualifying

Lando Norris’s 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 running.

- SCOTT HUNT

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.

However, 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 today’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’ teammate Oscar Piastri claimed second ahead of Carlos Sainz and the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez.