“Don’t let him play silly ***,” Lando Norris’ race engineer annoyed by Lewis Hamilton going slowly in qualifying
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Lando Norris' race engineer was not happy with Hamilton's 'impeding' of the McLaren duo.
With the qualifying session concluded, Charles Leclerc is in pole position for the fourth race in a row, and for the second Azerbaijan Grand Prix in a row. He is joined by Sergio Perez on the front row, with their teammates Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz behind. The Mercedes drivers are 5th and 7th respectively, but curiously, there is no McLaren in the top 10.
In the second qualifying session, there was some controversy, with Lewis Hamilton having possibly held up the McLaren duo. McLaren will feel that they could not make the top 10 due to being held up by Hamilton. McLaren will be starting 11th and 12th, which is not ideal for their race.
Lando Norris‘ race engineer, William Joseph was frustrated by what he felt was Hamilton going unnecessarily slow. He said:
“Don’t let him play silly ****. He’s got to keep an eye on his delta, if he doesn’t he’ll be in trouble. He’s the lead car, he’ll get in trouble.”
While Lewis Hamilton made his way into Q3, he will be investigated for driving too slowly. It remains to be seen, that if Hamilton is in fact judged to have impeded the McLaren duo, then will he get a penalty, or get away with a reprimand.
Also Read: Azerbaijan GP: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell give verdicts on Friday
All focus on the race on Sunday
Most cars have struggled this weekend with the porpoising. Mick Schumacher’s Haas suffered a water leak from it, Carlos Sainz complained of it, and so did George Russell. Lewis Hamilton was even left ‘sore’ from all the bouncing following the Friday action. It was present in qualifying as well, and Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz was spotted driving down the straights with their heads bobbing up and down. How the porpoising and bouncing affects the race remains to be seen.
Earlier during the weekend, Daniel Ricciardo had said that he wants to take advantage of an ‘unpredictable’ Baku weekend. It certainly was, but Ricciardo is not in an ideal position for the race, perhaps due in part from being impeded by Lewis Hamilton. Speaking on the radio after the race, he said:
“Yeah, thanks for the efforts. We’ll find a way tomorrow.” and his engineer replied: “Yeah, I think this car will be alright in the race. I think we can race well from 11th and 12th.”
Daniel Ricciardo had made the best of a bad situation in the first edition of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Running 15th on lap 6, the Australian eventually fought back to take the victory. Not many would back him to do the same tomorrow, but perhaps he will be targeting to do the same. Baku is never a clear-cut race. Lando Norris, too, has scored points both times he has participated in the race.
Also Read: “I’ve become a bit immune to it,” Daniel Ricciardo amid growing speculations around his future in F1
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)