Tricky conditions could cause major headache for the drivers in Baku
With excessive winds expected, weather conditions can cause a headache for the teams and drivers in Azerbaijan.
Slight chance of rain, but crazy winds in Baku
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix begins at 3:00 pm local time in the country's capital (12:00 BST / 13:00 CET).
While there is not much rain expected through this two-hour window, it is not ruled out completely either. According to FIA's weather portal, there is less than 20% chance of rain.
It will be cloudy in Baku, and it will get progressively colder. At the start, 29 degrees Celsius is predicted, but that will decrease by two degrees during the session.
The same could be said about track temperature. Starting with 25 degrees Celsius, it is expected to decrease by two degrees as well.
Wind is set to be the biggest curveball for the drivers this Sunday, after many reported gusts over qualifying as well. This can especially be tricky at a track where there is no room for error because of the proximity of the walls.
The average wind speed is expected to range from 15 to 25 kph, while wind gusts can reach up to 30-40 kph this afternoon.
Verstappen on pole position after chaotic qualifying on Saturday
After a session with six red flags in total, the four-time world champion secured his second pole position in a row at the Baku City Circuit.
Carlos Sainz will line up alongside the Dutchman, while Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli complete the second row this Sunday.
Out of the six red flags, two were caused in Q3, with both Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri crashing out. Lando Norris couldn’t capitalize on his championship rival's rare mistake and finished seventh.
With the two Mercedes drivers now starting in front of them, Norris and Piastri will have to make moves to secure the team's second constructors' championship in a row today.
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