Azerbaijan GP – sprint qualification: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) dominates the sprint qualification

The famous “shootout” did not change the situation this weekend, including a Saturday dedicated to the sprint. Boosted by shortened parts – respectively 12, 10 and 8 minutes -, the qualifying session of the 17-lap race, disputed this afternoon (3:30 p.m. French), saw Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) once again dominate the debates, Saturday on Baku street circuit.

Author of the pole position of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, the Monegasque once again beat the Red Bulls. Except for one small detail. The fastest in the SQ3 in 1’41″697, the driver from the Principality this time beat Sergio Pérez, for once faster than Max Verstappen.

To achieve the same result, “Charlot” however experienced a more eventful session. The day before, he had taken all the risks to beat the RB19s, and especially the n°1 of the reigning double world champion, who lacked grip due to poor management of his tyres.

Confident on this track where he has taken pole position for the past three years, the driver of the SF23 n°16 undertook a final lap despite tires outside their ideal temperature window. Lacking grip, he lost his rear at the entrance to turn 5 and went straight into the wall. His braking in disaster mode allowed him to avoid the worst, but it was with a half front wing that he joined the pits. Without fearing anything: launched an assault on his time, neither the Mexican nor the Dutchman from Red Bull could surpass him, far from it. 0.147 exactly for “Checo”, and 0.290 for “Super Max”.

Sainz prevented

The misadventure of the 2022 vice-world champion nevertheless prevented his teammate Carlos Sainz, located behind him on the track, from continuing his effort. Could the Spaniard have beaten the Red Bulls? We can doubt it, as he has sailed far from the times of his leader since Friday. But perhaps could have beaten the best of the Mercedes, because George Russell snatched the fourth fastest time for 0.035.

The Aston Martins once again in difficulty – the Greens had explained their positions behind by a DRS problem on Friday and we do not know what slowed them down this Saturday -, Lewis Hamilton therefore completed the Top 6, at 0 “805 And behind him, we are only half surprised to find Alexander Albon (Williams).The Thai had been prevented from entering Q3 on Friday by Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), that he had somewhat embarrassed him. hindrance, the hope of the Grove team also managed the feat of beating the AMR23s of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, who also needed the Spaniard’s draft to go through to Q3.

And then Lando Norris was the tenth man in that session. A virtual protagonist in truth, since unable to drive with a “soft” set of tires as required by the regulations, the young Englishman followed the discussions at the McLaren garage.

The second half of the classification reveals the new disaster experienced by Alpine. After Black Friday, the balance sheet for this Saturday is just as gloomy. Esteban Ocon lost a place on the grid (13th) and Pierre Gasly again inherited 19th and penultimate position. Not his fault this time. The team called him back to the pits after one lap following an exhaust problem depriving him of the recovery of engine energy (via the MGU-H). There was a risk of a fire starting and he did not return to the runway.