Monaco’s Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc confirmed his qualifying dominance by taking first place for the fourth time in a row, setting the fastest time on Saturday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, round eight of the Formula One World Championship.
The emirate’s son is starting from first place for the sixth time this season and 15th of his career, hoping he can translate his one-lap speed into victory in Sunday’s race, unlike what happened in the last three laps. .
“It’s a nice feeling,” Leclerc said after qualifying. “All the pole positions are good, but I didn’t expect this. I thought Red Bull were faster, knowing they were stronger in the first and second sessions.”
“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow (race). Of course, tire management will be key here. We achieved this in Barcelona and Monaco, although it was difficult to see it in Monaco. I think we’ve gotten better.”
On the first try of the third period, Leclerc’s car skidded and nearly crashed into the wall, setting the second fastest time behind his Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz before taking the lead on a second fast try.
Leclerc clocked 1:41:359 minutes on the streets of Baku, beating Mexican Sergio “Chico” Perez, who won two weeks ago on the streets of Monaco, by 0.282 seconds and Dutch title holder Max Verstappen by 0.347 seconds.
Science finished fourth and British Mercedes driver George Russell rounded out the top five.
Verstappen leads after 7 rounds with 125 points, 9 points ahead of Leclerc II and 15 points ahead of his teammate Pérez III.
The Baku track is characterized by a combination of long straights, hard braking and zigzags and often hides many surprises for drivers, as happened last year when Verstappen failed to cross the finish line first after his car suffered a puncture with 5 laps to go. end, and is in the foreground.
Here are the times for the third round of official testing:
1- Charles Leclerc (Monaco/Ferrari) 1:41.359 d.
2. Sergio Perez (Mexico/Red Bull) 1:41,641.
3- Max Verstappen (Netherlands/Red Bull) 1:41.706 d.
4- Carlos Saiens (Spain/Ferrari) 1:41.814 d.
5- George Russell (UK/Mercedes) 1:42.712 d.
6- Pierre Gasly (France/Alvatore) 1:42.845 d.
7- Lewis Hamilton (UK/Mercedes) 1:42.924 d.
8- Yuki Tsunoda (Japan/Alfatatori) 1:43.056 d.
9- Sebastian Vettel (Germany / Aston Martin) 1:43.091 d.
10- Fernando Alonso (Spain/Alpine Region) 1:43.173 d.
