Charles Leclerc said after qualifying on Saturday (11) in Baku that Red Bull was faster in Q1 and Q2, but that he managed to get his lap right at the end, securing pole position
Charles Leclerc is definitely the name to beat in qualifying for the 2022 Formula 1 season. In Saturday's session in Baku, which set the starting grid for the Azerbaijan GP, the Monegasque saved crucial tenths for the last moment and set a time of 1min41s359, 0s282 faster than Red Bull's Sergio Pérez.
It is the fourth consecutive pole-position for the Ferrari driver, who will have another chance to make up for the blows suffered by Red Bull in the last two races of the year. After qualifying, Leclerc didn't hide his surprise to once again line up in the position of honor on the grid, since Baku's street circuit has characteristics more favorable to the car of the rival Taurus.
"It's very good," said the driver. "All poles are good, of course, but this one I didn't expect, especially because Red Bull was very strong in Q1 and Q2. I fought hard to be fast, but then at the last attempt, I managed to do a good lap and I'm extremely happy," celebrated the championship runner-up.
For Sunday's race, Leclerc believes that tires can be a determining factor in pace, as they have been in previous rounds. "In Barcelona and Monaco we managed [the compounds] well, although in Monaco it was hard to see anything."
"But overall our race pace has increased since we brought in updates. Tomorrow it will be interesting if that is repeated here as well," the Monegasque closed.