11 June 2022

Changing track conditions, new tyres and proper management of yellow flags made all the difference today in qualifying on Baku’s 6,003-km urban track. Under these conditions, the teams aimed for several push laps for each attempt. In Q1, Fernando and Esteban determined their positions in and around the top ten before confirming their entry in Q2, finishing tenth and twelfth despite a red flag which, for many drivers, dashed any hopes of improvement at the finish line.*

 

In Q2, the pair started with a set of used Soft tyres. Fernando placed eighth and Esteban twelfth before several yellow flags impeded their second run as well as their last-minute dash at the end with new tyres. Esteban fell victim to this during his best lap, placing thirteenth, while Fernando reached Q3 for the sixteenth time this year, sailing to ninth place.

 

In Q3, Fernando placed ninth in his first attempt on used Softs. Later in the session, he dropped his time to 1:43:173 on a new set of Softs, finishing in tenth. The Spaniard will start from this grid slot for tomorrow’s 51-lap race.

 

Esteban Ocon, P13 in 1:43:585:

 

“Obviously I’m disappointed because this is the second time yellow flags have hindered our ability to complete a solid lap and make the top ten. We were hitting our stride all weekend, so it’s frustrating that we weren’t able to continue on this trajectory today. However, we know that Baku offers plenty of opportunities for overtaking, being one of the most unpredictable tracks in the F1 calendar. We need to seize every opportunity. I have every reason to believe that we will be finishing the weekend with some major points for the team.”

 

Fernando Alonso, P10 in 1:43:173

 

“I’m happy with today, even if we expected to do better after such a competitive run yesterday. We seem to have lost some headway today, so we need to look at that together. Many people were frustrated at the end of Q1, and I understand some of the complaints, but a lot of cars made mistakes that triggered yellow flags; many drivers experienced cold brakes and tyres when trying to get a good position on the track. We even saw a few hit the walls, and I was just a passenger when I went off the circuit. It will be difficult, of course, but anything can happen in Baku. The points are given out on Sunday, and I’m excited to see what we can do, especially with our poor downforce.”

 

Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal

 

“The qualifiers were a bit disappointing, as we thought both our cars would be in the Q3 today. We have the car to make it happen, but the circumstances were such that, unfortunately, we were taken aback by the yellow flag once on the track. This prevented Esteban from completing his fastest lap. He was well ahead of the intermediaries, so he could have entered Q3. Nonetheless, we need to focus on tomorrow and prepare for a track that demands we maximise every opportunity.”