Update
Verstappen continues to struggle, but:
Lando Norris suffers bitter F1 setback in Baku
14.09.2024, 15:22
Very bitter: World Championship pursuer Lando Norris was eliminated in the first knockout phase of qualifying for the Grand Prix in Baku. Although F1 world champion Max Verstappen is not driving well, he is in a much better position for Sunday’s race. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, is putting in an impressive series.
McLaren driver Lando Norris has suffered a serious setback in his pursuit of Max Verstappen and is in danger of losing valuable ground to the Formula 1 world champion in Baku. Norris failed in qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in the first part and will not qualify on Sunday (1pm/RTL and Sky and in the live ticker on ntv.de) will only start from 17th place, even the struggling Verstappen in the Red Bull is in a much better position, starting sixth. Charles Leclerc secured pole position in the Ferrari, and the Monegasque will be starting at the front in Baku for the fourth time in a row.
Behind Leclerc on Sunday will be Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri, who showed what was possible with the McLaren, and Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari. Sergio Perez in the Red Bull was also faster than teammate Verstappen in fourth place.
Norris had not driven a particularly fast first lap in the first part of qualifying and had everything planned for the second attempt – but he was slowed down by a yellow flag: a competitor in front of him was driving slowly due to a tire defect, and Norris had to brake. He therefore missed the second qualifying section of the best 15 drivers.
Hülkenberg experiences disappointment
“I was betting on the second lap and then had to ease off the gas,” Norris told Sky. “It’s frustrating, but I can’t change it now. I have to hope for something unusual on Sunday. It’s going to be a long race, the car is fast.”
Nico Hülkenberg reached Q2 in the Haas, but then there was disappointment: the German only managed 14th place, his interim team-mate Oliver Bearman finished eleventh. The 19-year-old replaces Kevin Magnussen, who is suspended for one race, at Haas.
The final training session had suggested that there would be a multi-way battle for pole position. Before qualifying, George Russell in the Mercedes had set the fastest lap in the morning, but this had been preceded by a constant change at the top of the time list. In the end, the Englishman was only 13 thousandths of a second ahead of Leclerc in the Ferrari, with the McLaren duo Norris and Piastri around two tenths of a second behind.