BAKU IS THE LAST TIE IN VERSTAPPEN’S QUALIFYING RECORD
Through the 2026 Spanish GP weekend on September 13, Max Verstappen held a positive career qualifying record against his teammates at 32 of 33 F1 venues. Only Baku remained level at 4–4.
Career qualifying comparison through the 2026 Spanish GP weekend, September 13, 2026.
Max Verstappen has outqualified his teammates nearly four times as often as they have outqualified him—but one circuit remains unresolved.
Across 244 eligible Grand Prix qualifying sessions since his 2015 debut, Verstappen leads his combined teammates 195–49.
Break those results down by venue and the scale of his advantage becomes even clearer. He holds a positive qualifying record at 32 of the 33 F1 venues where he has competed.
Baku is the only tie.
THE LAST CIRCUIT WITHOUT A VERSTAPPEN ADVANTAGE
Verstappen’s career qualifying record against his teammates in Baku stands at four wins and four losses.
Daniel Ricciardo finished ahead in qualifying in 2016 and 2018, while Verstappen came out on top in 2017. The 2019 comparison with Pierre Gasly is excluded because he was disqualified from qualifying.
The pattern continued against Sergio Pérez. Verstappen led their qualifying comparison in 2021 and 2023, while Pérez finished ahead in 2022 and 2024.
Verstappen’s 2025 advantage over Yuki Tsunoda brought the overall Baku score level at 4–4.
MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF NARROW LEADS
A positive record means Verstappen has more qualifying wins than losses against his teammates at a venue. It does not mean he has never been outqualified there.
In many cases, however, the advantage is overwhelming.
He is 12–2 at the Red Bull Ring, 11–1 at both Spa-Francorchamps and the Hungaroring, and 10–0 at Interlagos. Across 11 venues, no teammate has recorded a qualifying win against him.
That breadth makes Baku’s deadlock unusual. It is the only venue where Verstappen has competed without building an advantage.
WHAT CAN CHANGE ON SEPTEMBER 25
Qualifying for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for Friday, September 25.
If Verstappen qualifies ahead of his teammate in an eligible session, his Baku record will move to 5–4. He would then hold a positive career qualifying head-to-head against his teammates at every F1 venue where he has competed.
Until then, Baku remains the final tie.
Grand Prix qualifying sessions only. Sprints and Sprint qualifying sessions are excluded. Comparisons use official qualifying classifications rather than starting positions after grid penalties. Sessions involving a teammate’s disqualification or non-participation are not counted.
