Pole place and third place. Ferrari arrived in Baku with a superb degree of confidence, fueling the ambition to be among the many weekend’s major contenders. Up to now, the staff hasn’t simply been among the many frontrunners however has been the staff to beat, thanks partially to Charles Leclerc, who as soon as once more excelled between the partitions of the Azerbaijani capital.
Nevertheless, Carlos Sainz additionally confirmed strong kind, securing third place only a tenth behind Oscar Piastri, permitting him to start out from the second row. Whereas different drivers managed to search out just a few further tenths between the 2 Q3 makes an attempt, the Spaniard might solely enhance his time by ten thousandths, dropping time within the exit of the fort part.
Up till that time, Carlos Sainz had been absolutely within the struggle for pole, dealing with the sequence of 90-degree corners between the top of the primary and the start of the second sector excellently. Nevertheless, within the exit from that part, presumably as a consequence of higher rear administration over the course of the lap, his teammate discovered the margin to make the distinction within the center sector. The hole then widened once more on the primary straight, the place Leclerc gained just a few further km/h, additionally helped by the slipstream provided by Carlos Sainz, who was just a few seconds forward of the Monegasque.
Carlos Sainz didn’t cover the truth that he has usually struggled at this circuit all through his profession, which is why he’s finally glad together with his third place on the grid: “General, we had a strong and high quality day with each automobiles,” mentioned the Spaniard after qualifying.
“I believe we’ve put ourselves in an important place for tomorrow. I’ve by no means been tremendous quick on this monitor in my profession. It’s a monitor the place I are likely to battle a bit, so being in third is one thing optimistic for tomorrow. Additionally, my race tempo yesterday felt superb, so we will intention for one thing vital tomorrow.” – he identified.
A vital side was the monitor’s evolution, particularly within the early classes, which caught a number of drivers off guard, forcing even the highest drivers to make further laps on the finish of Q1 to keep away from elimination. Those that didn’t handle that essential lap, like Lando Norris, discovered themselves eradicated.
The #55 is waiting for tomorrow, believing he can enhance his place: “I believe I discovered one thing in Q3 that would’ve helped me in Q1 or Q2, however I’m glad to start out from third,” he mentioned in a special interview for Sky Sport F1. “Yesterday, I used to be among the many quickest within the lengthy runs, and I’m assured issues will go higher within the race. If we do a superb job tomorrow, we will intention to win with Charles or with me, and a one-two end right here could be vital for the staff and the constructors’ championship, the place we’re shut. Between the highest eight, there are at most two tenths separating us, so a small change in stability might put us forward of the others, and we hope it’s us. I’m assured we will do nicely tomorrow, and the primary aim is the one-two end.”
“This third place is unquestionably nothing particular, but it surely’s honest. I might’ve preferred to be on the entrance row, however on this monitor, I’ve at all times struggled up to now. It’s a kind of circuits the place you’re not very quick from FP1 after which need to adapt: for Charles, it’s the exact opposite—he’s at all times very quick, and it comes naturally to him.” – Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz concluded on the finish of the qualifying session for the 2024 System 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Sep 14, 2024
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