05/06/2021
NEWS STORY
Unlike Monaco, grid position isn't absolutely vital here, and for proof of that look no further than 2017 when race winner, Daniel Ricciardo started from tenth on the grid.
That said, one wouldn't want to head into tomorrow's race facing such an uphill task.
Consequently the pressure is very much on Mercedes, which has been off the pace all weekend.
Granted, Lewis Hamilton was third quickest this morning, albeit courtesy of a "monster tow" from rival Sergio Perez. And while, Valtteri Bottas' best time was hardly indicative, it's fair to say that the W12 appears around half-a-second off the pace.
Max Verstappen crashed out, and while much will be made of this - feeling the pressure etc (yawn) - the Dutchman must head into today's session feeling quietly confident, as must his teammate.
However, it remains to be seen who might throw a spanner in the works, or spoil the Baku party, so to speak, for anyone of a number of drivers could spring a surprise this afternoon.
Step forward Messrs Gasly, Leclerc, Sainz or even Norris, for in as much as this morning was "incident-filled", so too this afternoon all manner of issues could come into play, be it brushes with the barriers or trips down the escape roads or spins, all of which could cause yellow flags, VSCs or red flags at the very worst of times.
Feeling confident following Antonio Giovinazzi's first point of the season in Monaco, Alfa Romeo is one of several teams looking to spring a surprise and benefit from any potential mayhem.
While Verstappen's car is ready to run, Williams have had to change the engine on Russell's car due to a water pump leak.
Ahead of Q1, the air temperature is 28 degrees, while the track temperature is 51 degrees.
As the drivers head out into the pitlane, with Leclerc heading the queue, the Williams crew is still working on Russell's car.
In no time at all there are 15 drivers on track, all but the Mercedes pair on softs, the Black Arrows having opted for mediums.
An early problem for Stroll. When we say problem, we actually mean that his right-front wheel is hanging off.
As the replay reveals the Canadian hitting the barrier at the infamous Turn 15, the session is red flagged. Heading into the corner, his right front locked up, but rather than taking to the escape road he opted to try taking the corner with the inevitable result.
As it happens, only Leclerc has posted a time, the Ferrari driver stopping the clock at 42.532.
Swings and roundabouts, for the red flag has given Williams precious time in which to finish repairing Russell's car.
"Never good to see the red flag," says the Grove outfit, "but this one gives us a valuable few minutes for the team to work on George's car."
Ahead of the green light, Schumacher heads the queue, with Russell tucked in behind.
Verstappen is clearly frustrated as he is stuck behind the Alpine of Alonso. He backs up to create a gap only to fall into the clutches of teammate Perez.
Sainz goes quickest (42.121), but moments later Verstappen crosses the line at 41.760.
Meanwhile, at Turn 15... Giovinazzi is in the barriers... the session is red flagged again.
Like Stroll's Aston Martin, Giovinazzi's Alfa Romeo has incurred significant damage to its right-front.
With 09:20 remaining, only 10 drivers have posted times, the Mercedes pair are not among them, nor is Gasly or the McLaren pair.
Told he was a tenth off Verstappen's pace in S1, Hamilton replies: "I've just got to get a lap in".
Green light... and Latifi leads the way. Hamilton has reverted to the set of softs he used on his second run, having tried mediums earlier in the session. Likewise Bottas.
Norris is to be investigated for "red flag procedures".
Gasly goes sixth and Tsunoda eighth, while Raikkonen claims 11th.
Hamilton goes fourth (42.161) and Bottas eighth (42.701).
The only driver opting not to go out again is Ocon.
A 42.304 sees Ricciardo go sixth, while teammate Norris can only manage 14th (43.110).
As Russell goes eleventh (42.728), Hamilton crosses the line at 41.545 to go top, the Briton once again benefitting from a tow, this time from an AlphaTauri.
Vettel goes ninth and Tsunoda tenth.
Though he's on the cusp, Norris escapes elimination by the skin of his teeth. Indeed, told to complete his current lap he continues and goes fifth with a 42.167.
Quickest id Hamilton, ahead of Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Norris, Leclerc, Gasly, Ricciardo, Ocon and Vettel.
We lose Latifi, Schumacher, Mazepin Stroll and Giovinazzi.
"Can I go to the toilet quickly," asks Leclerc. We know the feeling.
The lights go green and Q2 gets underway. Vettel leads the way.
Replay shows some silliness in the pitlane, with Vettel being released into the path of the Red Bulls.
Vettel posts 42.224, but moments later Sainz posts 41.740 and Perez 41.630.
Verstappen goes third (41.765), ahead of Norris, Alonso and Vettel.
Hamilton aborts his lap in the second sector, while Bottas posts an exploratory 2:04.900.
PBs in the first two sectors are followed by a purple in S3, as Hamilton goes second with a 41.634, just 0.004s off Perez' pace.
Bottas improves to seventh with a 42.106, only to be demoted when Gasly stops the clock at 41.932.
Quickest in S2, Verstappen takes the top spot with a 41.625, just 0.005s clear of his teammate.
Opting for one run, Russell can only manage 15th (42.758), as Tsunoda posts a 41.654 to go fourth.
With 01:50 remaining, all 15 are on track... make that 14... for Ricciardo is in the barriers at Turn 3.
"Asked if he is OK, there is a long pause before the Australian sheepishly replies: "Yep, OK."
All of which is bad news Vettel and Ocon who were on hot laps for the session is red flagged.
Told he has missed out, Vettel isn't happy. "F**, how much did we miss it by?" "Three-tenths," comes the reply. "Arghhh!"
Verstappen is quickest, ahead of Perez, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Gasly, Bottas and Alonso.
We lose Vettel, Ocon, Ricciardo, Raikkonen and Russell.
Check out our Saturday gallery from Baku, here.
As they head out for Q3, both Ferraris are released into the path of the Mercedes pair, thankfully without incident. Bottas leads the way... which probably tells you all you need to know.
Sainz appears to have the edge in S1, while the Mercedes pair are clearly opting for two warm-up laps.
Leclerc has the edge in S2, crossing the line at 41.218. Sainz goes second with a 41.576 and Norris third (41.747).
Verstappen splits the Ferraris with a 41.563, while Perez goes fifth (41.917).
Hamilton posts 55.184 and Bottas 56.741 as they begin their second flying lap, the Briton subsequently benefitting from the tow thoughtfully provided by his teammate goes second with a 41.540 while Bottas can only manage 42.659.
The AlphaTauri pair are clearly going for just one run.
Indeed, Gasly goes quickest in S1. Tsunoda posts 42.211 to go seventh, while Gasly crosses the line at 41.565 to go fourth.
With 02:20 remaining the ret head out.
"I need a tow," admits Bottas as he slows. A frustrated Leclerc subsequently passes the frustrated Finn.
As ever, they slow to a ludicrous pace in a bid to create a gap, whilst also mindful of the need for a two.
Oh dear, the session is red-flagged after an incidents involving Sainz and Tsunoda.
Replay shows Tsunoda making the same mistake as so many others at Turn 15, while Sainz subsequently hits the barriers in the escape road in his bid to avoid the stricken AlphaTauri.
The big worry for the Spaniard being his gearbox , the rear of the Ferrari having taken quite a whack when it hit the barriers.
Memo to Carlos: If Ferrari give the gearbox the all-clear tonight, ask them to check again... and again, and maybe a fourth time.
Consequently, Leclerc claims pole for the second successive race. Hamilton joins him on the front row, ahead of Verstappen, Gasly, Sainz, Norris, Perez, Tsunoda, Alonso and Bottas.
So, the incidents continue, Latifi, Stroll, Ricciardo and finally Tsunoda and Sainz the cause of no less than four red flags.
Cruel luck for those drivers who looked set to improve, not least Bottas who was on a very strong lap.
That said, the slightly mixed up grid order only means more fun and games tomorrow, and judging by the number of incidents so far we can probably expect plenty more.
"There were two or three corners where I did mistakes," admits Leclerc, "but then I had the tow in the last sector which helped a little bit.
"I was not expecting to be as competitive as we were today," he adds, "we were helped with the red flag but anyway. It definitely feels very good, a pole is a pole."
"The lap was okay," adds Hamilton. "We definitely weren't expecting that, we made so many changes, we didn't take no for an answer.
"The work overnight and between the sessions was amazing from the team. Working with this car, it's the biggest challenge we've had in a long time."
"It's a stupid qualifying, but it is what it is," sighs Verstappen. "Everything was working out fine... I just hope tomorrow in the race we can look after our tyres and have a good race.
"It's still all to play for," he insists, "as you can see from qualifying, a lot of things are happening."
Check out our Saturday gallery from Baku, here.