Leclerc, pole in Azerbaijan and Norris are in big trouble in the F1 World Championship

Ferrari He arrived favorites in Baku because of how well his car always performed on this track, even when he had to compete against the blazing speed of the best car on the grid, the McLaren. To do this, they had a Charles Leclerc that in the streets of the city of fire and light always shines at just one turn.

He signed three previous pole positions at this track and the Monegasque achieved the ‘Póker’ on his fourth pole in a row in Baku against Oscar Piastri’s McLaren 2nd at 0″321) and the Ferrari of his teammate Carlos Sainz (3rd, at 0″440), that from the second row will want everyone this Sunday in an always busy and surprising race between the walls of Baku, where anything can happen. In it, Alonso will once again lead for the points after another excellent classification in which he maximized his chances, finishing 8th behind Hamilton, as the best of the rest again and leading the two williamscars that seem superior to his Aston Martin in Baku.

In fourth position he finished well ‘Checo’ Pérezreborn after much criticism, more comfortable behind his wheel Red Bull with a new floor that seems to have corrected some of the car’s problems. The Mexican, the driver who has won Baku the most times (2), triumphed. Russell (5th), and above all, to his partner Max Verstappen (6th).

The Dutchman got out of his car with a grim look on his face, but thinking about the title fight could be worse for him. And Max was given wings again by his great friend Lando Norrishis main competitor for the championship, who seems determined not to win this World Cup.

Norris, another mistake that could cost the title

Lando Norris and McLaren have shown on too many occasions that they are not ready to fight for the World Cup against Max Verstappen. Happened again to Azerbaijan. Lando made his eleventh mistake of the year in qualifying in Baku, with a car ready to fight for pole with his teammate in 2nd. Norris starts 17th this Sunday after being involved in a big, big mess, leaving him more on the ropes than ever.

Norriswith the need to cut points from Max62 points behind the reigning champions with 8 games remaining (including this Sunday in Baku), He was eliminated in Q1 for another mistake, inappropriate for a driver who wants to fight for the title and who drives what has been and is the best car on most of the track.since the last Miami GP.

There is no reason. You should criticize yourself and improve, if you can. A few years ago, Lando Norris belittled Hamilton’s victories in his dominant Mercedes because he said so “He drives a car where he should win all the races and he only has to beat one or two drivers”a comment he later apologized for. However, he thought and said that. He asked for a winning car, believing he would be up to the task once he had it in hand. But it’s not.

In Baku, McLaren once again showed that he has no experience in this type of match. As was the case in Hungary, where his teammate Piastri took a point from him. Or at Monza, where it happened again and the orange ones lost out on victory in shocking fashion. This time, those in orange left very late to conduct their final lap of Q1 on a track that is improving dramatically. They put their two pilots in a moment of maximum pressure that could have been avoided by taking off earlier.

They are in danger of being left behind. Verstappen went out before Piastri and the last to do so was Lando. Max did not disappoint with an improved Red Bull and moved into Q2. Oscar did the same, showing how well he can handle pressure and the makings of a future champion. But Norris, who set the second best time so far in sector 2, erred by exceeding turn 15 limits. He said he encountered a yellow flag on his lap for Esteban Ocon and was unable to complete his second lap. He aborts his attempt and has no time for more. But he said nothing about that mistake, which came before that yellow flag: if he had completed the lap, it would have been taken.

So he will start 17th, with Verstappen 6th and with everything against him, knowing that, once again, history is repeating itself: another race in which he can take of points from Max, has become a nightmare in which his absence is likely to widen.. A drama.

Of course, with such a powerful McLaren and at a track where there may be safety cars, he will have options to make changes. Although far from victory that would open more doors to the title.

It makes you think about the famous ‘papaya rules’ and the reasons why McLaren let the Australian fight with Norris in the final races despite being far from the title. Maybe they want Lando to wake up. Or maybe they see that their true No. 1 in the future may not be Lando. Currently, Norris has passed that car.

Alonso, sensational

As they say, no one will remember the 8th place. Probably just Fernando and his team. They are the ones who really know how much the Asturian had to maximize his options to return to the performance above what he was and Aston Martin They are waiting for a return.

The man from Oviedo achieved his goal of getting into Q3 with the fastest car on the straight and was able to take advantage of Albon’s problems and overtake the ‘rookie’ Cola pinto to start the 8th. The Oviedo native will be looking for points this Sunday against some very strong Williams with an Aston Martin which usually sinks the race due to its greater wear and tear. You will need to maximize all your options again to achieve your goal.

Colapinto leads it with 9th place

For his part, Colapinto is 10. In two races he has done what was asked of Sargeant, getting into Q3 without a qualifying accident. It was perfect, considering the wall crash he had on Friday. He did not give up, he showed mental strength and confidence to do everything on a track that he had not learned and where it was very easy to make mistakes. He nails it behind the wheel, of course, of a car that in Baku performs wonderfully in that middle zone.