DRIVERS
1 – Charles LECLERC (Ferrari)
2 – Oscar PIASTRI (McLaren)
3 – Carlos SAINZ (Ferrari)
TRACK INTERVIEWS
(Carried out by Alex Brundle)
Q: Carlos, nice lap. You appear to have the automobile beneath you at Ferrari this weekend. Is that the best way it felt to you? Actually, actually robust efficiency all through qualifying.
Carlos SAINZ: Yeah, I believe we had a stable quali, a stable day typically with the 2 vehicles. And I believe we put ourselves in an excellent place for tomorrow. I’ve by no means actually been 100% attached round right here in my profession. It is a monitor that I are inclined to battle a bit, so to be P3 is an efficient place for tomorrow, as additionally my race tempo yesterday appeared robust, so all to play for tomorrow.
Q: The monitor was transferring round in every single place beneath you. How troublesome was it to maintain up with the swift evolution of the monitor early on after which it tailing off in the direction of the final a part of qualifying?
CS: Yeah, undoubtedly. The monitor was ramping up so much and we had been getting an increasing number of grip because the monitor cools down and the solar goes down. So it was all about adapting. I discovered one thing going into Q3 that gave me a bit extra confidence. Yeah, in all probability wasn’t the very best of build-ups to try this Q3 lap, however a minimum of I discovered one thing that allowed me to place it into the highest three, which is a good place for tomorrow.
Q: Was the Ferrari entrance row out there in the present day, or was Oscar somewhat bit far-off from you?
CS: If I’d have been a bit faster, sure, nevertheless it’s Baku the place I’ve by no means been my finest model of myself round right here. However I believe tomorrow we could be.
Q: Nice job. Thanks a lot. Oscar, second on the grid. Good job. You appeared to seek out somewhat bit additional into Q3. The place did that come from?
Oscar PIASTRI: I simply acquired a bit nearer to the partitions and on the final lap acquired somewhat bit too shut! However yeah, simply tried to actually get probably the most out of it. This monitor actually rewards dedication. So yeah, the final laps in Q3, I knew I had so much much less to lose. So simply try to maximise the automobile. I used to be feeling good all through. Simply did not maximize it that a lot within the first a part of qualifying. However no, very pleased with Q3.
Q: your race tempo, are you going to have the pace to be robust and problem for the victory tomorrow?
OP: I believe from the place we’re beginning, sure. However I believe following round right here goes to be actually powerful. We noticed yesterday that it was fairly powerful when you get behind somebody. So hopefully I can get some clear air and that will be good. However yeah, we’ll see what we are able to do. I believe our race tempo is nice. However once more, the Ferrari is definitely not sluggish.
Q: And given the qualifying efficiency, it goes with out saying, you might have the inexperienced mild to go all out for victory tomorrow.
OP: Undoubtedly.
Q: Charles Leclerc, mesmerising lap. From an evocative win for the group at residence in Monza to persevering with your wonderful run of type in qualifying right here. Simply discuss us by way of the problem of setting a lap like that between the partitions. It has been so low grip all weekend, however you completely nailed it.
Charles LECLERC: Yeah, effectively, I imply, it is one among my favorite monitor of the season. I actually prefer it. It hasn’t been a straightforward weekend as a result of clearly the crash in FP1, which did not make me lose confidence, I knew that the tempo was there, however clearly you have to construct again in control. Then in FP2, we had an issue on a brand new half we introduced on the automobile and there was one thing unsuitable there. So we misplaced one other half an hour after which it’s laps that you do not actually recuperate. So I used to be not anxious, however I knew that we needed to make up a while. However the tempo was at all times there. After which in qualifying, till Q3, it was all about making an attempt to remain so far as potential off the partitions. After which in that final lap, I went for it a bit extra. And the lap time got here very properly. I imply, the automobile felt actually good and every part felt nice. So, yeah, it is wonderful to be on pole.
Q: You’ve got your self and Carlos up within the prime three positions. Is {that a} profit strategically transferring into tomorrow with two Ferraris close to the entrance of the sector?
CL: For instance it is the very best we might have hoped for. I imply usually the even aspect of the grid has somewhat bit much less grip, so first and third is the place you wish to begin and hopefully we are able to play a group recreation tomorrow to win that race. However it should be an extended race. Previously we had been very robust in qualifying struggling a bit within the race. This yr now we have a stronger race automobile, so I hope that we are able to lastly make it tomorrow.
Q: Extra whispering with the tyres, identical to in Monza, to take it by way of to the tip of the race maybe?
CL: Oh, undoubtedly. I imply, tyre administration might be an enormous factor tomorrow as effectively. So we have got to do job. We have performed a extremely good job in Monza. However yeah, as I mentioned, now we have to reset each race as we do. And that is what we did. So tomorrow is one other race with different points, though tyre degradation is there. It is with totally different tyres. So you have to adapt to that. And we’ll do our homework tonight to prepare for tomorrow.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Q: Good job, Charles. Each of your laps in Q3 had been ok for pole. The automobile appeared very attached. Simply discuss us by way of that closing lap.
CL: Nicely, it was lap. I simply took somewhat bit extra danger in comparison with the primary try in Q3. It was essential to only have a lap on the board, after which within the second lap, you simply take extra danger and see what occurs. Fortunately, I completed each of the laps, they usually had been good laps. The automobile felt actually good since FP1. Actually, we barely modified the automobile from FP1 to now. Right away, I felt completely satisfied and the stability remained actually good. We needed to counter somewhat bit the monitor evolution as a result of there’s a number of monitor evolution right here, however the feeling was there right away in FP1, though there weren’t many laps in FP1 and FP2. That did not cease us to recuperate after that and to be comfortable for all of the weekend.
Q: What’s it about you and this racetrack, 4 pole positions, the place do you discover the time?
CL: This I do not know. I have been interested by it. And clearly, each time you might have weekend, you attempt to analyse. However I do not actually have a robust reply to it. I suppose it simply goes with my driving type very naturally, as a result of more often than not, it’s important to work so much to try to achieve lap time. However there, I simply really feel good with the rhythm of this monitor for some purpose. And yeah, that makes it a very good monitor for me.
Q: You mentioned you have not needed to change the automobile a lot this weekend. So what about your race tempo? Let’s throw it ahead to tomorrow. How assured are you?
CL: I imply, I did not do a lap with excessive gas, nevertheless it’s been a reasonably robust level of the automobile this yr. So I’m not anxious going into tomorrow’s race, however clearly we have to do issues proper. So I will need to do a little bit of homework tonight with a view to prepare for tomorrow, however I am not too anxious that we’ll do the very best job with our package deal after which we’ll see whether or not it is ok to win the race tomorrow or not.
Q: And in spite of everything these pole positions at this racetrack, what would it not imply to lastly win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
CL: It could be good. I imply, in ‘21 and… No. Yeah, ‘21 and ‘20, I believe, it was fairly sudden, the pole place. So we did not have the tempo within the automobile to win. No, sorry, ‘21 and ‘23. In 22, we had automobile, after which the engine blew up. So, hopefully tomorrow the tempo is there, and we do not have something that stops us to win it. However once more, earlier than interested by the ultimate consequence, there are nonetheless a lot of laps round this monitor, and it is a very troublesome monitor. So we’ll see tomorrow. However within the meantime, I will simply be sure that I’m doing the very best preparation potential.
Q: Alright. Very effectively performed in the present day. Thanks, Oscar. Let’s come to you now. Entrance row begin. However you mentioned over the radio that that second lap of Q3 was the messiest one you have ever performed. Actually?
OP: Possibly not the messiest ever, nevertheless it definitely wasn’t the cleanest. A number of massive moments in there and a few love faucets with the wall. So, yeah, I imply, I pushed to get every part out of it that I might. And, yeah, perhaps somewhat bit an excessive amount of in some locations, however I do not suppose I had sufficient to get polled in the present day, so… I am fairly pleased with the entrance row. And yeah, hopefully we are able to try to put up a combat tomorrow.
Q: You solely had the one set of recent tyres for Q3. How a lot did that maintain you again?
OP: I do not suppose that a lot ultimately. I believe the used tyres I did, I did roughly half a lap on it. So it wasn’t utterly used. And round right here, the tyres have been somewhat bit unusual, I’d say. And simply with the monitor evolution, it is extra about doing lap quite than having the proper set of tyres. So I used to be fairly pleased with P3 after the primary set. After which I discovered somewhat bit extra on the second set of tyres. So yeah, I used to be fairly pleased with that.
Q: You’ve got talked about the monitor evolution. Charles talked about it. How a lot did it ramp up through the session? And did you get to some extent the place it stabilised?
OP: No. It was simply getting quicker and quicker. I believe from the beginning of FP1 to now… Usually we go perhaps three seconds quicker or perhaps 4 in some locations, however right here it has been, I do not know what the quantity is, nevertheless it’s like seven or eight. So, you actually needed to adapt so much by way of the weekend and attempt to adapt your driving to the monitor you have acquired and adapt the automobile to what the monitor goes to be, which at all times makes life somewhat bit harder for the engineers and for us. However, yeah, it is by no means stabilized. And I believe on a avenue circuit, it by no means will. It’ll simply proceed to get higher and higher.
Q: So it seems to be like one other good battle with Ferrari, because it was final day out at Monza. Who do you suppose’s acquired the quicker race automobile right here?
OP: Most likely whoever finishes in entrance tomorrow, I’d say! I do not know. I believe it’s totally, very even. By way of all of apply it seemed very tight between us, Ferrari, Mercedes and Pink Bull. To be trustworthy, I used to be a bit shocked Pink Bull weren’t a bit additional up on the finish of Q3, however I believe our race tempo seemed good yesterday, however these days the highest 4 groups are so shut in race tempo that qualifying typically makes a large distinction. So I’ve acquired confidence that our automobile might be fast. However yeah, I believe there’s undoubtedly seven different vehicles out on the monitor which might be definitely not any slower.
Q: Oscar, very effectively performed to you. Carlos, if we are able to come to you now. Nice to see you again within the prime three. Can I begin with this query as to who’s acquired the quicker race automobile, Ferrari or McLaren? What’s your opinion on that?
CS: I believe it is extraordinarily tight. I believe it is clearly one among… Charles was mentioning it’s one among his finest tracks and he tends to at all times discover a few tenths on the Ferrari round right here and that in all probability makes us appear like the quickest automobile, however I believe it is actually inside two tenths between the highest 4 vehicles and it makes it an thrilling battle and an thrilling race for tomorrow.
Q: Nicely, let’s convey it again to in the present day for you. Simply discuss us by way of the quali out of your standpoint and Q3 particularly.
CS: Yeah, however I managed to seek out a few issues in Q3 that gave me a bit extra tempo than what I used to be exhibiting in Q1 and Q2. Most likely discovered it a bit too lat. By the point I discovered them, I want I’d have had extra laps earlier than to get used to driving the automobile a bit like that. And I felt like I used to be extra aggressive. However, you recognize, it is at all times been a monitor that I battle so much at. It is the very best monitor for Charles and one of many worst ones for me, and I am glad to be P3 and have place going into tomorrow, though it is one thing that I hold engaged on round right here as a result of from FP1 I at all times are inclined to lack a little bit of rhythm and I have to construct it up.
Q: Are you able to inform us somewhat bit extra about what you discovered in the course of the session?
CS: Nothing that I can reveal clearly in a press convention, as a result of I’d be revealing a bit an excessive amount of, however simply little issues. Little issues that you are able to do in quali to get the automobile to cease a bit higher within the lengthy braking zones, that offers you a bit extra confidence to brake these three to 5 metres later that round right here is key. It is attention-grabbing as a result of I usually really feel very comfy in metropolis tracks like Singapore, Monaco or any, however Baku has by no means been, in my 10 years in System 1, a type of. However yearly I come again right here making an attempt to enhance myself, looking for extra of an edge in my driving, nevertheless it simply does not come very pure to me.
Q: Carlos, if you take a look at the info, Charles’ information, is there one specific space, given how good you’re at avenue tracks, is there one specific space that you simply take a look at Charles and go, OK, it is there?
CS: Yeah, for positive. I imply, the braking, no. It is all about braking right here in Baku and having the arrogance to cease the automobile as late as potential, trusting that the automobile then goes to show in into the nook. And yeah, that is the place he excels round right here and the place he is notably comfy from the start of FP1. From my aspect, I do not know why I haven’t got precisely that very same feeling that I’ve in Singapore, perhaps on the upper downforce, or in Monaco with greater downforce, nevertheless it’s what it’s. I nonetheless suppose I made some good progress. I am going into tomorrow into the highest three. So, yeah, I nonetheless suppose we’re within the combine.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) A query for Charles and Carlos please. Charles, we heard you type of complaining somewhat bit on the radio concerning the tow, I believe in Q2. Are you able to guys simply sort of clarify in case you had any particular plan for that whether or not it was lacking the tow with one another or was it timing it with different vehicles? Are you able to simply type of like go into the ways there, please?
CL: Oh, no, no, it was nothing all the way down to Carlos. It was simply because I used to be the primary automobile of the group, so I had no person in entrance, however there was no… Yeah, we did not plan something between the vehicles. I simply want there was perhaps one other group in entrance and I did not wish to be the primary automobile. And on a monitor like this it makes a little bit of a distinction and I additionally noticed Max’s lap in Q2 who had a large tow within the final sector, so I simply did not wish to be dropping out to pole in Q3 due to one thing like that, so I used to be simply ensuring that the group knew that it was going to be essential for Q3.
CS: It was, I believe, a matter of… I believe we each went in the course of the session in Q2 whereas each different group waited till the monitor evolution. We prioritised placing a lap in the course of Q2 to be secure going into Q3, and that left us uncovered to no tow. And yeah, we had been simply ensuring that for Q3 we had been having one. That’s when it counts.
Q: (Aytan Asgarli – Nargiz Journal) I want to ask you, Carlos, Baku has produced some unpredictable races previously. What’s probably the most uncommon or sudden factor? How do you put together mentally earlier than the race tomorrow?
CS: I believe the largest problem of Baku usually is when there are pink flags as a result of that breaks the rhythm of the race. I keep in mind one yr there was two or three pink flags on the identical race and that basically breaks the rhythm of the race. after which it’s important to wait whereas they clear the monitor, and clearly that’s the greatest factor. Then the Security Automobiles. Right here it’s totally troublesome to maintain temperature within the tyres, so each time there is a Security Automotive restart, it’s totally straightforward to entrance lock, very straightforward to go vast into the primary three corners. So yeah, all these elements make Baku an unpredictable race, as a result of as quickly as there’s one curve ball, like a Security Automotive or a pink flag, it really generates much more chaos after, as a snowball impact.
Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) A query for Oscar this time, please. Oscar, we heard Lando sound fairly downbeat yesterday concerning the automobile. Had been you type of feeling the identical factor about it or had been you much more completely satisfied after FP1, FP2? Was there something you needed to change in a single day to be sitting right here in the present day?
OP: Actually, I used to be fairly pleased with it. We had a bit to seek out for positive. However yeah, I believe I mentioned yesterday I felt like we had been within the ball park. And yeah, I am not massively shocked to be sat right here. However, yeah, I undoubtedly did not really feel like we had been the quickest yesterday. However, once more, I really feel prefer it’s so shut between the highest 4 groups that you simply by no means fairly know who’s going to come back out on prime. Pink Bull had been trying very fast at sure factors. Ferrari clearly trying very fast. Even Mercedes at factors as effectively. So, yeah, I at all times thought we had been in a reasonably good place. So, yeah, not that shocked to be right here.
Q: (Lewis Larkham – Crash.web) Charles, your fourth pole in Baku. The place does this one rank in comparison with the remaining, and do you’re feeling it was your finest but, and if that’s the case, why?
CL: No, it is not the very best. I believe the ‘21 one was in all probability the very best as we had been in a really, very troublesome yr. I believe we had been preventing for P9, P10, that championship and to be on pole right here was very particular. Nonetheless, it was lap. I imply, it was a extremely good lap. Once more, there’s not… For some purpose, there’s not that a lot scatter between my laps on this monitor. It seems to be like I am very constant. However once more, I do not actually have the magic reply. However I identical to the rhythm of this monitor. And each lap I used to be doing was fairly aggressive from FP1. And the stability was feeling actually good. So the lap was good. It was actually good. However yeah, it is also very troublesome to match it to different years.
Q: (Aytan Asgarli – Nargiz Journal) I want to ask a query to all three of you. And it is really fairly a straightforward one, however extra like enjoyable associated. What anthem tune do you take heed to earlier than a race to get into the zone, contemplating how onerous it should be tomorrow on the town circuit?
CL: I like instrumental, motivational music. It is just like the film music. That provides me a number of vitality earlier than stepping into the automobile. But when I’m too tense, which does not occur fairly often, nevertheless it did on a number of events, like Monaco perhaps, earlier than the beginning this yr, then it is extra calming music, and it’s totally calm, simply to launch the strain somewhat bit. However yeah, in any other case, instrumental, motivational music.
Q: Do you ever take heed to your personal music?
CL: Earlier than Monaco, I did, as a result of that is much more calming than the opposite kind of songs I usually take heed to.
Q: Oscar?
CL: Do you take heed to my songs?
OP: No! Possibly I ought to. I actually do not take heed to something. Once we’re in Europe, I usually find yourself listening to no matter Lando listens to as a result of it is at a quantity loud sufficient for each of us. After which, I imply, no matter they play on the grid, you may sort of take heed to no matter you need, however particularly after we go to love the Netherlands, yeah… I do not know the way your calming music works in Zandvoort, however usually no matter they play on the grid, which to be trustworthy is generally my sort of music anyway, however in a number of locations it is a bit a lot and also you simply sort of… It’s a must to shout generally to talk to your engineers, which is somewhat bit irritating, nevertheless it’s all for the ambiance.
Q: Carlos?
CS: I’ll sound boring, however I do not want any music. I am already pumped up and nervous sufficient, having the goosebumps earlier than the race to even put one thing on my ear to pump me up much more. I really simply talked a bit with myself. Typically I have to, if I pump myself up, I do a stronger heat up. If I have to settle down, I’ve a bit extra time to relax. I inform you one factor that pumps me up right here is the Azerbaijan anthem. It is fairly robust right here. It is a good one. And it is an anthem that after we’re standing on the grid may be very highly effective, really, and it is good enjoyable.
ENDS
