BAKU BLOWS IT WIDE OPEN ON THE GRID

LANDO NORRIS refused to admit he'd blundered a big chance by qualifying only seventh after watching title rival Oscar Piastri crash out in Azerbaijan.

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In a chaotic session which saw a record six red flags and lasted almost two hours, Max Verstappen clinched a sixth pole of the season by delivering a flawless lap at the end.

The Dutchman executed in windy and slippery conditions as Norris found himself a whopping 1.122 seconds off the pole pace.

That was after McLaren teammate Piastri, who leads him by 31 points in the championship, had left the door ajar by crashing into the barriers in Q3 to qualify only ninth.

Asked if it was a chance gone begging, Norris said: "No because I still did everything I could."