The sun beats down on the Baku City Circuit as the gladiators of Formula 1 prepare for one of the most unpredictable qualifying battles of the season. The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is poised for another dramatic chapter, with the narrow, castle-lined streets ready to punish any mistake.
The Stage is Set in Baku
All eyes are on the clock as the final practice session (FP3) concluded, setting the stage for a fierce fight for pole position. The unique challenge of the Baku track, with its long straights demanding power and tight, technical sections requiring precision, means that qualifying is always a spectacular and tense affair.
What Time Does F1 Qualifying Start?
For fans tuning in from the UK, the high-stakes session begins at 2:00 PM BST (British Summer Time). The qualifying hour will be split into its traditional three segments—Q1, Q2, and the top-ten shootout of Q3—each one eliminating the slowest drivers.
Championship Contenders Under Pressure
The battle at the front is expected to be fiercely contested. Defending world champion Max Verstappen will be looking to reassert his dominance after a competitive start to the 2025 season. However, rivals from Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes are all showing promising pace, threatening to disrupt the established order.
The street circuit is a notorious car-breaker, and with the new technical regulations in full effect, reliability and driver skill will be just as important as outright speed. A single error can mean a brush with the wall and an early exit from the session.
How to Follow the Action Live
Viewers in the United Kingdom can catch every moment of the qualifying drama live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage beginning well before the session starts. For those on the move, live streaming is available via the Sky Go app.
This live blog will provide minute-by-minute updates, expert commentary, and instant reaction as the grid for Sunday's main event is decided. Stay with us for all the twists, turns, and shocks from the Azerbaijan GP qualifying.
