Sat Sep 14 17:57:46 UTC 2024: ## Lando Norris Suffers Shocking Qualifying Blow in Baku, Starts P17

**Baku, Azerbaijan** – Lando Norris’s championship hopes took a significant hit in qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the McLaren driver facing a disastrous Q1 exit and starting the race in P17.

Norris’s early elimination came as a major surprise. He opted to pit rather than complete his final lap, citing a yellow flag in the third sector which disrupted his run. This decision ultimately cost him a place in the top 15, putting him in a difficult position for the race.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc secured pole position for Ferrari, leading a front row consisting of teammate Carlos Sainz and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Other notable moments in qualifying included a strong performance from both Williams drivers, Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto, who both progressed to Q3. Albon, however, faces a potential penalty for an unsafe release during the session.

Rookie Oliver Bearman was eliminated in Q2, finishing behind teammate Nico Hulkenberg. Zhou Guanyu received a penalty for exceeding the maximum number of energy stores and control electronics for the season, relegating him to the back of the grid.

With a challenging start position, Norris will be hoping to recover during the race, but the unexpected setback adds another layer of complexity to his championship chase.

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