Franco Colapinto’s first time attacking the Baku Metropolis Circuit — as a driver at any stage, not to mention Method 1 — obtained 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 occasions that had his title 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 attain Q3 in solely my second Qualifying session in F1 is an incredible feeling for me and the group,” stated 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 to this point this weekend and I’ve been getting extra comfy with the automobile and studying a brand new monitor.
“I believe we maximized virtually each run we did as we speak. We had a troublesome begin yesterday, however we’ve accomplished an awesome job to show it round. It was essential to construct my confidence up after the crash in FP1 particularly at a road monitor,” added the younger driver. “My mistake in FP1 meant I couldn’t do a long term which might harm 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 attaining 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 aspect 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. Nonetheless, that pleasure was muted for Albon, as an try and get him on the monitor rapidly for his ultimate push lap noticed him depart the group’s stall with an air field nonetheless connected, forcing him to drag to the aspect and wrestle the gadget off his FW46:
The delay value Albon a shot at his ultimate push lap, and he’ll begin tenth.
“We’ve had three Q3’s in a row now which is a optimistic, and getting each vehicles by to Q3 is sweet. The automobile is performing properly and the improve is working. Funnily sufficient, I’m really not that pleased with the automobile this weekend however that’s a optimistic signal because it exhibits there’s much more to return and we’re nonetheless good on race tempo,” stated Albon. “With the difficulty with the fan in Q3, these items occur. No person did it on objective and the group will overview 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 battle from the highest ten tomorrow.”
Even with the miscue — which can see the group fined for an unsafe launch — Williams is in a superb place to battle for factors on Sunday.
“Nonetheless, the group and the drivers can look again on a stable Qualifying and each are in a superb place to battle for factors tomorrow,” stated Sporting Director Sven Smeets.
