“We’ve been struggling like you couldn’t believe all weekend”– Lewis Hamilton sees P2 in qualifying as an overachievement.
Mercedes till qualifying had a tough weekend in Azerbaijan, yet another street circuit. But Lewis Hamilton still managed to get a first row start along with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
While Valtteri Bottas got himself stuck in the middle of the grid at P10, Hamilton confessed that they were struggling with the W12 in Baku and didn’t expect a P2 grid start before coming to the qualifying.
“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,” said Hamilton.
“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.”
Charles Leclerc once again favoured by Red flags.
This is the second time in a row when Leclerc has picked the P1 in the qualifying, and on both occasions, the red flag made the de-facto pole sitter.
However, the change is that last time, you could blame Leclerc for the abrupt end to the session, but this time around, four drivers compelled the red flags to come out on different occasions.
In the last flying lap, Yuki Tsunoda crashed his car into the wall and brought harm to Carlos Sainz’s car, which immediately brought an end to the session.
The Baku City Circuit is a thought track, and seeing the drivers’ hesitancy over here, and we may see a messy affair on Sunday.
