Lando Norris faces a tricky job on an enormous 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 as a result of a yellow flag mix-up, which compelled him to surrender his lap whereas different drivers progressed and confronted a collision with Max Weiss The potential of Tappan’s 62-point hole widening.
However as Crimson Bull’s woes continued, Verstappen may solely begin the race in sixth place, with the Dutchman crushed by team-mate Sergio Perez in qualifying for the primary time for the reason that 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 Principal Occasionwill virtually 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 automotive and the Crimson Bull could be hampered by the big wings when driving in a straight line. affected.
“Max begins sixth and might need issues firstly and would 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 will have been a distinct story.”
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McLaren driver Lando Norris despatched out of Azerbaijan Grand Prix season 1 in large shock
A future in Friday follow confirmed Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Crimson Bull have been evenly matched.
A one-stop race is anticipated as a result of low tire degradation, however there was a security automotive or digital security automotive at each Azerbaijan Grand Prix since 2017.
With Norris in the back of the grid, Verstappen might be relieved as Oscar Piastri proved McLaren has a ok automotive to qualify as pole sitter Entrance row behind Charles Leclerc.
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Lando Norris stated he needed to put his arms up on the ultimate lap as a result of a yellow flag after crashing out of the primary spherical, however he stays hopeful of a optimistic end result on Sunday
Villeneuve believes Verstappen’s primary focus might be on Norris and easily passing the British driver.
“You would see the automotive was fairly understeer in qualifying, which he did not like,” he added. “To repair their rear finish, it’s extremely nasty – they should understeer a bit of bit, which fits Perez higher.
“Max would not like that, he would not like organising the automotive that method. It is not a very good signal for the race. Listening to Checo, he would not appear to have a lot confidence in him within the race both.
“They’ve the largest rear wing in your complete discipline. In a straight line race, that is not a very good factor.”
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Max Verstappen says Crimson Bull cannot discover the appropriate answer to automotive 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 tyres,” he stated.
“I nonetheless hope we will get a very good end result. I feel the automotive 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 victory 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 target might be on Norris chasing Verstappen, Leclerc may overtake the Briton on Sunday if he desires 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 group simply 39 factors behind Crimson Bull, who’re eight factors forward of McLaren.
“It is arguably the perfect end result we may 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 need to begin, and hopefully we will play a group recreation to win that recreation.
“However it’ll be an extended race. Prior to now we’ve got been very robust in qualifying however struggled a bit within the race. This yr we’ve got a stronger automotive, so I hope we will advance in the long run.”
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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 could 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 large points in Azerbaijan qualifying
“Tire administration can also be going to be an enormous factor, so we’ve got to do a very good job,” he added.
“We did very nicely at Monza. However we’ve got to readjust each recreation 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 reside broadcast of Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule
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A glance again at a number of the most dramatic moments occurring across the Baku Metropolis Circuit
Sunday, September 15
8.30am: F2 Particular Race
10:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan Grand Prix preparation*
12pm: Azerbaijan Grand Prix*
2pm: Checkered flag: Azerbaijan GP response
3pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast reside on Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion
Method 1 will go away the continent this Sunday at 12pm for the Baku and Azerbaijan Grand Prix, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime
