Qualifying in Baku: 3rd consecutive pole for Vettel

His teammate Kimi Räikkönen was ahead in the first two sectors of his final attempt but the Finn slipped at turn 16, which determines the interminable final straight.

Räikkönen must therefore be content with 6th place, behind his compatriot Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and both Red Bull de Daniel Ricciardo et Max Verstappen. Dashing on the shores of the Caspian Sea since the start of the weekend, the Force Indias are there with Esteban Ocon 7th in front Sergio Perez. Both Renault complete the Top 10 but Nico Hulkenberg, 9th, will have to move back 5 places on the grid due to a change of gearboxes.

Note that Räikkönen will be the only one among the representatives of the 3 leading teams to start on Ultra-Soft tires on Sunday. Indeed, the drivers must start with the compound used in Q2, or Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull sent their cars to Super-Soft during this 2nd phase of qualifying. Having made a mistake with his set of red sidewall tires, the 2007 world champion had to put on Ultra-Soft tires to secure a place in Q3. It will be interesting to see what impact this unforeseen change in strategy will have on the Finn's performance in the race.

After a very complicated start to the season, Williams sets the bar straight since Lance stroll and Sergey Sirotkin both manage to reach Q2 for the first time this season. The Canadian even came close to sending Ricciardo to the trap.

Behind the two FW41s, the grinta of Fernando Alonso is not enough to fill the current deficiencies of its McLaren. Disappointment also for Kevin Magnussen, only 15th while the Dane has been very lively since the kick-off in Melbourne with Haas.

Charles Leclerc signs the best qualification of his young career with the 14th fastest time. The Monegasque was even 11th at the end of an eventful Q1 where we almost witnessed a big accident between teammates when Pierre Gasly, tumbling at 320 km/h, found on his route the Toro Rosso de Brendon Hartley idling due to a puncture.

The Frenchman narrowly avoided a monster collision and finished his race in the loophole at turn 15. The two men did not make it through the first phase of qualifying. They were accompanied in the cart of the eliminated by Stoffel Vandoorne, Marcus Ericsson and Romain Grosjean, whose misfortunes continue. The Haas driver couldn't even set a timed lap after going straight at turn 3 and having to abandon his mount with a heavy heart.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, fourth round of the world championship Formula 1 2018, will be launched on Sunday at 16:10 p.m. local time (14:10 p.m. in France). You can follow it live with commentary on CARhebdo.com.

Hag holds off the two Mercedes to take pole

Both Force Indias in the top 10 #AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/NhsQ6HL16E

- Formula 1 (@ F1) April 28th