Franco Colapinto’s first time attacking the Baku Metropolis Circuit — as a driver at any degree, not to mention Method 1 — acquired off to a rocky begin.
Whereas we nonetheless have no idea how his Azerbaijan Grand Prix will finish, his qualifying Saturday on the Baku Metropolis Circuit was one thing particular.
The rookie Williams driver stormed into Q3, and at moments earlier within the session posted instances that had his identify atop the sheets with the likes of Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and different extra skilled drivers. He in the end certified ninth, an achievement he described as an “superb feeling” in his post-session feedback.
To realize Q3 in solely my second Qualifying session in F1 is an incredible feeling for me and the group,” mentioned Colapinto within the group’s post-qualifying report. “I used to be not anticipating to enter Q3 as I used to be simply going session by session increase all through. The automobile has been on level up to now this weekend and I’ve been getting extra snug with the automobile and studying a brand new observe.
“I believe we maximized nearly each run we did at present. We had a troublesome begin yesterday, however we’ve executed a fantastic job to show it round. It was vital to construct my confidence up after the crash in FP1 particularly at a avenue observe,” added the younger driver. “My mistake in FP1 meant I couldn’t do a long term which might damage me tomorrow, however I believe we will do our prep tonight and perceive the place I can enhance. I’m happy with what we’re already reaching collectively as that is solely the beginning with loads of races left. Let’s see what we will do tomorrow.”
That pleasure prolonged to the opposite facet of Williams’ storage. For the primary time all season the group noticed each drivers advance to Q3, as veteran Alexander Albon joined Colapinto in Q3. Nevertheless, that pleasure was muted for Albon, as an try to get him on the observe rapidly for his closing push lap noticed him go away the group’s stall with an air field nonetheless connected, forcing him to tug to the facet and wrestle the gadget off his FW46:
The delay value Albon a shot at his closing push lap, and he’ll begin tenth.
“We’ve had three Q3’s in a row now which is a optimistic, and getting each automobiles by to Q3 is nice. The automobile is performing nicely and the improve is working. Funnily sufficient, I’m truly not that pleased with the automobile this weekend however that’s a optimistic signal because it exhibits there’s much more to come back and we’re nonetheless good on race tempo,” mentioned Albon. “With the problem with the fan in Q3, these items occur. No one did it on function and the group will evaluate what occurred, however realistically I used to be solely going to realize one, perhaps two positions if all the things went completely and we will nonetheless struggle from the highest ten tomorrow.”
Even with the miscue — which can see the group fined for an unsafe launch — Williams is in a great place to struggle for factors on Sunday.
“Nonetheless, the group and the drivers can look again on a stable Qualifying and each are in a great place to struggle for factors tomorrow,” mentioned Sporting Director Sven Smeets.
