Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg secured pole position at the first ever European GP at the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan.
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Force India’s Sergio Perez was absolutely magnificent, qualifying second – but a gearbox penalty means he misses out on the front row, with that cheeky Daniel Ricciardo nipping in to start second. “I have no idea [if I can get back in the groove], but yesterday was really a nice day, so if I can back to there then I will be in a good position for tomorrow”.
Polesitter Rosberg, meanwhile, refused to rule Hamilton out of victory contention, saying the Briton’s previous fightbacks – he finished seventh from 22nd on the grid in China, and second from 10th on the grid in Russian Federation – prove he will still be a threat. Sometimes it happens. It was my fault, so I’ll apologise to the team and try to make up for it tomorrow.
Hamilton had been clocking quickest sectors before both his mistakes in Q3 and said: “I was four tenths up on both laps, so there was no question whether I was quick or not”.
“It’s one of the easiest tracks to overtake, so there’s going to be a lot of changing places I think, probably a lot of safety cars as well, exciting re-starts and everything”.
“You created a great track”, Rosberg said to the organisers.
As per article 34.4g in the sporting regulations, drivers must start the race on the tyres with which they set their fastest time during Q2. “He’s a three times world champion so he must be doing something right”.
Horner said Ricciardo would get the benefit of various mechanical upgrades as the season progressed.
Moving up the grid is Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo in P2, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in P3, the other Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen in P4, Williams’ Felipe Massa in P5, and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat in P6.
“It was nothing to do with anyone else, it was just me not doing good enough”, he said.
The reigning world champion will start 10th, with title rival and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg on pole, after he clipped the inside wall at Turn 12 on his second Q3 run, breaking the front suspension.
“I’m still a bit angry at the mistake”, Perez said.
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In the first session McLaren’s Jenson Button, who was eliminated along with Rio Haryanto and Pascal Wehrlein.
