Sophie Collins
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has secured his 9th career pole position ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix tomorrow.
It was a dramatic Qualifying session this afternoon with four red flags and plenty of trips into the barriers for a number of drivers at the highly technical circuit.
After struggling throughout the weekend so far, Mercedes join Ferrari on the front row after an impeccable lap in Q3, while Max Verstappen will be in P3 on tomorrow’s grid.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 about securing his second consecutive pole position this season, Leclerc said;
“It was quite a s*** lap I thought! There were like two or three corners where I did mistakes, but of course, I had the big tow from Lewis in the last sector which helped me a little bit.
“But overall I think we would have been there or thereabouts for pole without the slipstream, so it’s a good day.
‘I did not expect to be as competitive as we were today. I was improving again [before] the red flag but it’s like this, another pole, and I’m happy anyway.”
Meanwhile, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton said today was their “biggest challenge in a long time”;
“We definitely weren’t expecting that and this is such a monumental result for us because we’ve been struggling like you couldn’t believe all weekend. You can see it.
“We kept our composure. We’ve continued to have difficult discussions in the background and challenging one another, and just never taking no for an answer.
“We’ve moved around, made so many changes, over these two days. Just chasing our tail and it’s been so difficult.
“But the work overnight and particularly between the sessions was amazing from the team and really proud of everyone for keeping positive.
“To be up there and so close to these guys is a great start.”
Hamilton added: “It has been the biggest challenge in a long time. It has been a bit of a disaster.”
Lights out is tomorrow (Sunday, June 6) at 1:00 pm Irish time at the Baku City Circuit.
