24/06/2017
NEWS STORY
Max Verstappen: "The car felt very good during qualifying, I struggled a bit to get the tyres working in sector one but everything else felt like it was going in the right direction. I think we realistically had a shot at P3 today, which on this track would have been a fantastic result. The Red Flag didn't really have an impact on me, I had just about completed my fast lap and then had a chance for one lap when the session was restarted, just like everyone else. On my final lap in Q3 I was going about three tenths quicker than my best time but then I lost gear sync in the second sector, it cost me a couple of tenths which was frustrating and meant we could not challenge for third. I'm hopeful we can get on top of these issues overnight and be ready for tomorrow. Once again Mercedes have made a big step today so I don't think we can get close to them but we will be looking to challenge Ferrari come the race. It would be great to get on the podium and that is the goal."
Daniel Ricciardo: "It's obviously frustrating when you crash but in Q3 you are trying to give everything and get that last little bit out of the car. I knew turn six was a corner where I could do better, I was trying to carry more speed but I lost the rear on the exit and hit the wall. The rear was coming round and I tried to drive out of it but it kept going. The wall kind of comes back round a bit so I hit it. It's not the wall's fault, obviously, I'm not blaming the wall! There was no other reason, I was just pushing hard and on the edge of the grip. Sure I'm not happy with the mistake but it's one of those tracks. Part of me doesn't like it right now but the reality is that I do like street circuits for these reasons, it shows when you are on the limit and you pay the price when you are over that limit. It's a shame as I thought we could have been fighting at the front today but the time from Mercedes was really quick, they proved to be out of reach but Ferrari weren't too far in front at the end. This weekend Max and I have been happy with the balance of the car and it is responding well so we have made definite progress. I'm not disheartened for tomorrow, I think so much can happen around here and even if it is a one stop race I'm sure we can make progress."
Christian Horner, Team Principal: "After such promising free practice sessions it's perhaps slightly underwhelming to be fifth and tenth on the grid. It's a shame for Max as he was three tenths up on his personal best before losing a bit of time at turn seven and then losing synchronization with the gearbox which prevented any chance of an improvement. Daniel unfortunately clipping the barrier, that we know are pretty unforgiving out here, eliminated him from Qualifying on the spot. Qualifying in fifth and tenth we were certainly hoping for more than fifth and tenth but hopefully from those grid positions we can have a competitive race in what will no doubt be an action-packed grand prix tomorrow."
Check out our Saturday gallery from Baku, here.