Report: Alex and Logan both make Q2 in Azerbaijan Qualifying

The team are reflecting on a hectic but ultimately pleasing day as both cars were able to progress through to the second stage of Qualifying for the first time since late-2021.

Alex Albon will line up in P13 for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Logan Sargeant the row behind him in P15 after his best Qualifying result so far.

Red flags are always a risk at this venue, so the importance of getting a good banker lap early in Q1 is key, something both our drivers managed to do.

After two separate interruptions owing to incidents for Nyck De Vries and Pierre Gasly, both Alex and Logan improved on their final Q1 runs to progress through to the second stage.

Q2 was a much cleaner affair and our pair sat in P10 and P13 after their first flying laps. Alex would improve on his lap time but ultimately fell short of the Q3 threshold by two-tenths, placing him in P13 with Logan in P15.

“It’s so close out there and I’m loving it,” Alex explained after the session concluded.

“We’re fighting for Q3, one mistake and that’s it and that’s just how it is. It’s great to be a part of it but frustrating when it doesn’t go your way.

“I lost time in that area with Carlos but when I look back at it, it’s not like he was really in the way but you see how these cars are so sensitive and when you get a snap, the tyres hold on and it’s so punishing.

“It’s fine margins out there and I wouldn’t want it any other way but unfortunately, we just got the wrong end of it today. It’s another opportunity tomorrow with a lot of racing ahead of us, so we’re feeling good and the car is feeling good.

“Sunday is going to be hectic with no one having done a proper race run, so it will be about keeping clean and hopefully we can make up some places.”

Logan is understandably thrilled to tick off another milestone in his F1 journey, and is looking forward to what Sprint Saturday has in store.

“Qualifying was good,” the 22-year-old American said. “It was a pretty good showing for the team and I finally got into my first Q2.

“It feels like it’s been a long time coming. I was really happy to deliver the lap under pressure at the end of Q1 and then I was going for it in Q2 and didn’t quite get it right so that was that.

“Free Practice was tricky and coming from that I had to make a pretty big step so I’m happy with my turnaround to make a good jump forward and get closer to where I need to be.

“All in all, it was a positive day and the best part about it is that we get to do it all again tomorrow!”

As always, our Head of Vehicle Performance Dave Robson was keeping a close eye on things from the pit wall and summarised the day's efforts by saying: “A sprint format on the streets of Baku was always going to make for an entertaining day, and today didn’t disappoint.

“With drivers still learning the circuit, and with the new track surface evolving quickly throughout the day, there were mistakes and misjudgements. We were able to manage the consequent red flag interruptions well and keep both cars in a good position on the track.

“Both drivers dealt with the broken Qualifying session very well. Alex was fast throughout and, had everything been perfect, he perhaps could’ve qualified for Q3.

“Logan drove very well today and immediately showed good pace despite missing some vital track time in FP1 following an issue with the nosebox on his car. The team rectified the issue and he enjoyed a smooth run to Q2.

“He pushed very hard in Q2 and extracted some good pace whilst also learning about tackling this tricky circuit in an F1 car.

“Although the cars are now in Parc Ferme, we have some big decisions to make on how we tackle the remainder of the weekend.

“We have qualified well for the Grand Prix and we will need to keep this in mind as we decide how to approach the new Sprint Shootout and Sprint Race tomorrow.

“Today was hectic and challenging, but the team dealt with it well and the car has good pace.

“Both drivers were excellent and we are looking forward to more excitement and jeopardy over the next two days.”