Lando Norris faces a troublesome activity on a giant day within the F1 title race on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, having began seventeenth in Sunday’s race in Baku.
Norris had a disastrous qualifying session when he was eradicated in Q1 attributable to a yellow flag mix-up, which pressured him to surrender his lap whereas different drivers progressed and confronted a collision with Max Weiss The opportunity of Tappan’s 62-point hole widening.
However as Crimson Bull’s woes continued, Verstappen might solely begin the race in sixth place, with the Dutchman crushed by team-mate Sergio Perez in qualifying for the primary time because the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.
Sunday’s race noticed each title contenders battling it out on the tight, twisty Baku Metropolis Circuit. 12pm, Sky Sports activities F1 and Essential Occasionwill nearly definitely be key to the title race.
Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 world champion and particular commentator for Sky Sports activities F1, stated: “Lando knew he had a really quick automobile and the Crimson Bull could be hampered by the big wings when driving in a straight line. affected.
“Max begins sixth and may need issues initially and does not rating, after which Lando finishes seventh or eighth and will get some factors.
“The title race will not be over but. If Verstappen had been on pole it could have been a unique story.”
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McLaren driver Lando Norris despatched out of Azerbaijan Grand Prix season 1 in large shock
A long term in Friday observe confirmed Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Crimson Bull have been evenly matched.
A one-stop race is anticipated attributable to low tire degradation, however there was a security automobile or digital security automobile at each Azerbaijan Grand Prix since 2017.
With Norris behind the grid, Verstappen will likely be relieved as Oscar Piastri proved McLaren has a ok automobile to qualify as pole sitter Entrance row behind Charles Leclerc.
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Lando Norris stated he needed to put his palms up on the ultimate lap attributable to a yellow flag after crashing out of the primary spherical, however he stays hopeful of a constructive outcome on Sunday
Villeneuve believes Verstappen’s primary focus will likely be on Norris and easily passing the British driver.
“You can see the automobile was fairly understeer in qualifying, which he did not like,” he added. “To repair their rear finish, it is very nasty – they should understeer slightly bit, which fits Perez higher.
“Max does not like that, he does not like organising the automobile that means. It isn’t a very good signal for the race. Listening to Checo, he does not appear to have a lot confidence in him within the race both.
“They’ve the largest rear wing in all the area. In a straight line race, that is not a very good factor.”
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Max Verstappen says Crimson Bull cannot discover the suitable resolution to automobile issues they confronted throughout Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying
As for Norris, a 3rd win of the season is out of the query and the 24-year-old should restrict the injury.
“There is a lengthy race forward. We have some good tires,” he stated.
“I nonetheless hope we will get a very good outcome. I feel the automobile is quick.”
Can Leclerc give himself an opportunity within the title race?
Leclerc’s dominance on Saturday appeared to verify Ferrari was again on the entrance after a shock win at Monza two weeks in the past.
Not solely did the Monegasque take simply two laps to take pole place, however his teammate Carlos Sainz (who had beforehand struggled in Baku) was additionally capable of end third behind McLaren’s Piastri , thereby consolidating Ferrari’s place.
Whereas all the main focus will likely be on Norris chasing Verstappen, Leclerc might overtake the Briton on Sunday if he needs to win the race and the McLaren driver is pointless.
Ferrari can also be prone to return to the constructors’ title race, with the Italian workforce simply 39 factors behind Crimson Bull, who’re eight factors forward of McLaren.
“It is arguably the very best outcome we might have hoped for,” stated Leclerc, who trails Verstappen by 86 factors within the drivers’ championship.
“I imply, sometimes, the even-numbered facet of the grid has rather less grip, so first and third is the place you wish to begin, and hopefully we will play a workforce sport to win that sport.
“However it may be a protracted race. Prior to now we have been very robust in qualifying however struggled a bit within the race. This 12 months we have now a stronger automobile, so I hope we will advance ultimately.”
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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed his fourth consecutive pole place for Azerbaijan, beating Oscar Piastri by three-tenths of a second whereas Crimson Bull’s Max Vesta Max Verstappen is sixth behind!
Leclerc’s victory at Monza was constructed on a daring one-stop technique as he managed the tires brilliantly to beat McLaren’s front-row lock-up.
Leclerc might undertake a one-stop technique in Baku on Sunday, saying he is able to put his tire whispering expertise to make use of once more.
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Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz displays on all the massive speaking factors from Azerbaijan qualifying
“Tire administration can also be going to be a giant factor, so we have now to do a very good job,” he added.
“We did very properly at Monza. However we have now to readjust each sport like we do and that is what we did.
“Sunday is one other race with different points, though the tires did degrade. It is on completely different tyres, so it’s a must to adapt to that and we’ll be prepared.”
Sky Sports activities F1 stay broadcast of Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule
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A glance again at a few of the most dramatic moments taking place across the Baku Metropolis Circuit
Sunday, September 15
8.30am: F2 Particular Race
10:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan Grand Prix preparation*
12 midday: Azerbaijan Grand Prix*
2pm: Checkered flag: Azerbaijan GP response
3pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast stay on Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion
System 1 will depart the continent this Sunday at 12pm for the Baku and Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month-to-month Membership – no contract, cancel anytime
