FROM THE ENVIENT TO BAKU. Second consecutive pole position for Charles Leclerc and ninth of his career. After the controversial feat of two weeks ago in Monte Carlo, the Ferrari driver also sets the best lap in qualifying for the Azerbaijani Grand Prix, in a session again ended early due to an accident.
It all happens in Q3, the session accessed by the ten fastest drivers. Leclerc signs the provisional pole on the first attempt, taking advantage of the slipstream offered by Hamilton involuntarily. On the second lap, Tsunoda crashes into turn 15, where Stroll and Giovinazzi had already crashed in Q1 and Leclerc and Verstappen himself in free practice. To avoid an accident with the Japanese driver of the AlphaTauri, Sainz slips the escape route with blocked wheels and breaks the front wing.
It is the end of qualifying: no one manages to complete the second lap and Leclerc (1’41 ” 218) leads the world champion Hamilton by 232 thousandths. In the second row Verstappen with Red Bull and Gasly on the Alpha Tauri. Sainz with the other Ferrari is 5th, followed by Perez (Red Bull), Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), Alonso (Alpine), Norris (McLaren, relegated from 6th to 9th for failure to respect the red flags) and Bottas (Mercedes).
The reactions have opposite tones. Leclerc rejoices, even if he calls for caution: «We didn’t even expect to make such short times. I thought I had done a lousy lap and instead … But it will be difficult to maintain the position in the race against Hamilton and Verstappen ». Hamilton is also delighted and amazed: «It is an unexpected result. Until qualifying, the weekend was a disaster, then at the end of free practice we found something that helped us ».
Verstappen does not hold back his disappointment: «They were stupid qualifying and it went as it went. I have a good car, I plan to get back together. The pole? I missed the slipstream, but on the second attempt I could have done it ». Sainz also thinks back to Monte Carlo: «It is the second time that I am fighting for pole and at the best I am stopped by an unexpected event. The accident? I saw Tsunoda on the wall in full trajectory, I didn’t know how to avoid him and I braked ».
Tomorrow (Sunday) at 2 pm the race (live on Sky Sport F1).