Master of poles Leclerc denies Perez in Baku qualifying / Photo: HAMAD I MOHAMMED - POOL/AFP
-
Russia to close branches of Germany's Goethe Institute
-
Indonesia protesters targeted by coordinated disinfo
-
Spacecraft bound for Mercury faces 'tricky' arrival
-
Oil sinks, bond yields ease and stocks boosted after Trump Iran hint
-
Philippines holds drills to safeguard students from armed intruders
-
American jazz singer Cassandra Wilson dies at 70
-
In Ghana, larger-than-life coffins tell the stories of the dead
-
Rare trio of Pacific hurricanes fueled by historic El Nino
-
Menoncello, Reece headline Top 14 new-season signings
-
Chinese WNBA star out of World Cup after losing passport
-
Families descend on Nepal in search of missing tourists
-
Medieval Europe and Africa collide in Sao Tome traditional theatre
-
Far-right AfD eyes huge win in east German state vote
-
Iran attacks US targets despite Trump threats
-
Brazil-Japan to play World Cup rematch at Singapore tournament
-
Alcaraz believes 'impossible' schedule raising injury threat
-
Defence chiefs back boosting US military presence in Australia
-
Alcaraz rallies to reach US Open third round, Sabalenka storms through
-
Nepal seeks climate justice after Himalayan disaster
-
Alcaraz overpowers Faria to reach US Open third round
-
Stocks rise, yields ease as oil slips on Trump hint at short bombing campaign
-
Hamilton hopes to boost title bid with record Italian triumph
-
Brussels Diamond League finals Day 1 - five events to watch
-
Iran, US trade threats after fresh strikes
-
Thailand's 'Jurassic Park' shines light on dinosaur evolution
-
US not 'stealing Venezuelan oil,' energy secretary insists
-
'Role model' Stokes set to open for Adelaide Strikers
-
Farming experts tout 'conscious' food systems to fix agriculture woes
-
Palau urges 'unified' Pacific response to China missile test
-
George Lucas unveils art galaxy at his new LA museum
-
Grinding away: in remote Appalachia, old mills fuel US clean food dreams
-
Veteran Wallaby Slipper targets fifth World Cup after Brumbies deal
-
Sabalenka races into US Open third round
-
Sabalenka storms into US Open third round as Pegula, Medvedev advance
-
NSW's Fourth-Largest City Makes Its Move: Investing Platform Spotlights Wollongong's Health Precinct Plan and 20,500-Job Target
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - September 03
-
Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals PLC Announces Exercise of Warrants and Issue of Equity
-
Costa Rica Makes History as First Latin American Country to Launch English Learning as a National Initiative with Open English
-
Chinese lucky loser stuns Jodar at US Open
-
Zverev looks to improve after first-round scare
-
US Open under the influence: content creators spark debate
-
Raiders to start Cousins over top NFL Draft pick Mendoza
-
NBA hammers Clippers over Leonard salary cap violations
-
Palantir chief says France's digital sovereignty push 'backfiring'
-
NBA strips five first-round draft picks from Clippers for Leonard salary cap violations
-
US energy firms dominate Venezuela deals worth billions
-
Kane brace helps Bayern win German Cup opener
-
Iran, US trade threats after escalation in fighting
-
Migrant plight, local anger divide Ceuta one month after influx
-
US jury deadlocks again in Lindsay Clancy's child murder trial
Master of poles Leclerc denies Perez in Baku qualifying
Charles Leclerc lived up to his status as the master of poles this season when pulling a flying lap out of the bag in qualifying Saturday for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Ferrari driver, registering his fourth consecutive pole and sixth of the season, is joined on the front row for Sunday's race by the Red Bull of Sergio Perez.
Perez, who won on the streets of the Azerbaijani capital 12 months ago and in Monaco last time out, once again outperformed his world champion teammate Max Verstappen.
Verstappen starts on the second row with Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari.
"It feels good," said a visibly thrilled Leclerc.
"All poles feel good, but this one I didn't expect. I thought the Red Bulls were stronger in first and second qualifying sessions but on the last lap everything came together."
Leclerc had a healthy championship lead after the fifth race in Australia but goes into this eighth round of the season nine points behind Verstappen, with Perez only six points back in third.
He is desperate to regain the title momentum on Sunday, saying: "I'm really excited for tomorrow."
M.King--AT
