Formula 1: Russell shines again and takes pole for the Azerbaijan GP; Bortoleto wide in 17th

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man

Friday: the script pointed to Mercedes and Red Bull

The weekend of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix started with a clear reading in this Friday's qualifying: Mercedes and Red Bull were in focus, expecting that the pole position duel would be concentrated between the two teams as it usually happens at decisive stages of Formula 1.

The Baku circuit is a narrow, high-speed street track with little room for recovery. This makes a clean lap in Q3 something even more valuable: starting from the front can mean less traffic, better first corner reading and more control over race pace.

Q3: Russell had to overtake Ferrari and McLaren

In Q3, George Russell saw the race become more open than expected and had to deal with pressure from Ferrari and McLaren as they battled for top grid positions.

The situation made it clear that the pole position would not come easily. Russell had to face a more competitive block up front, with opposing teams trying to turn the momentum into an advantage on Saturday's start.

Saturday: pole turns into early lead in Baku

With the result of Q3 set, the stage for this Saturday's race now has a new starting point. George Russell's pole position gives him the best possible position on a track where the start and first few laps often play a decisive role in how the race unfolds.

For Ferrari and McLaren, the immediate challenge is to use qualifying as a basis for attacking early on Saturday especially at a circuit that doesn't forgive mistakes.

The next chapter is already set: this Saturday's race, again at the Baku Circuit, with Russell starting from the front after a qualifying that started with Mercedes and Red Bull as favourites and ended in a tougher-than-expected battle in Q3.