In the round-up: Fernando Alonso believes he will be able to gain places on his sixth place grid position for today’s sprint race and Sunday’s grand prix.
In brief
Alonso confident of gaining places after DRS fault strikes Aston Martins
Alonso secured sixth on the grid for tomorrow’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix but believes he will be able to go better in today’s sprint sessions. The Aston Martin driver was just under a tenth of a second slower than Lewis Hamilton after both he and team mate Lance Stroll suffered DRS activation problems in Q3.
“We could have been a little bit better,” Alonso said. “We had some issues in FP1 and also in qualifying with the DRS, which cost us a few tenths.
“Being so tight, I think the standings will make a difference. But nevertheless, it’s only Friday. It’s a long weekend ahead of us – another qualifying tomorrow, another race, another race on Sunday – so plenty of opportunities. Hhopefully we can recover a few places.”
Bearman on pole after reprimand
Oliver Bearman took pole position for the Formula 2 feature race despite bending the steering on his car and being investigated for an incident involving Jehan Daruvala and Richard Verschoor. The stewards ruled the Prema driver had “driven in an erratic manner that could have been potentially dangerous” but only handed him a penalty.
He will share the front row of the feature race grid with Enzo Fittipaldi. Richard Verschoor has pole position on the partially-reversed grid for today’s sprint race, ahead of Zane Maloney.
Points leader Ayumu Iwasa qualified a lowly 17th for both races. Theo Pourchaire, second in the standings, qualified third for the feature race. He was given a three-place penalty for impeding Kush Maini, which will apply to the sprint race, which he will therefore start 11th.
Porsche unveil Le Mans hypercar livery
Porsche’s trio of 963 Hypercars will sport this special livery at the Le Mans 24 Hours. It has been designed to mark both the 100th anniversary of the race and 75 years of Porsche sports cars.
Garcia gains F1 Academy poles after Carlins excluded
Marta Garcia will start on pole position for the first ever F1 Academy round at the Red Bull Ring after original pole-winner Abbi Pulling was disqualified, along with her two Carlin team mates, due to a technical infringement.
Pulling had secured pole for the first and final of today’s three races until a post-session inspection found that all three Carlin cars – belonging to Pulling, Jessica Edgar and Megan Gilkes – were fitted with parts under the sidepod that did not meet homologation. All three were disqualified, handing Pulling pole position for the first race of the series ahead of Prema team mate Bianca Bustamante.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
‘Under the weather’ Piastri battles into top-10 in Baku (West Australian)
“It’s not been the easiest days for myself, I’ve been a little bit under the weather but happy to be in Q3 (the third qualifying session) and nice to start the weekend off well. I’ve felt better before… but I’ll be fine for tomorrow.”
Writing the Rules – How the FIA develops new regulations for Formula 1 (FIA)
“This weekend in Azerbaijan, Formula 1 will introduce a new format designed to boost the spectacle of Sprint weekends and improve track action for fans around the world. Thanks to the close working relationship the FIA enjoys with FOM as well as the sport’s 10 teams and power unit manufacturers, moving the changes from concept to regulatory reality has been accomplished swiftly and positively through collaboration. But how does this whole process work?”
Formula 1 Academy: ‘Women need to be taken more seriously (BBC)
“Two or three years ago I couldn’t finish a season in an F4 championship down to the fact there was nothing left in the pot. If it wasn’t for what F1 Academy are doing I wouldn’t be racing – it’s a simple as that.”
Susie Wolff: ‘Getting a woman on the F1 grid is eight to 10 years away’ (Guardian)
“A woman in F1 is not going to happen overnight, I need to manage expectations. But I think this foundation and everything we can achieve with the F1 Academy in the medium to long term can be the real driver for change in the sport and that was what compelled me to say: ‘Count me in.’”
Lando Norris: “My theory, that was an old me, that’s the part that really uses your brain. You get questions and think ‘nah that doesn’t really matter’ when it probably does, whereas the driving part I nailed the first time. So the practical part, mega, I nailed it, the theory, forget all that.”
IndyCar’s New Rain Vanes Debut In Alabama (Racer via YouTube)
“IndyCar’s brand-new rain vanes are designed to prevent an issue that arose in 2022.”
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
80th birthday celebrations for Helmut Marko at @redbullracing. #F1 #AzerbaijanGP #RaceFans pic.twitter.com/xqkySYOYyo
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) April 28, 2023
First pole of the season, it feels really good and the lap was 🔥
The feeling with the car was really good too, proud @ScuderiaFerrari ❤️ pic.twitter.com/edaZ7tmxV9— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) April 28, 2023
Up late pic.twitter.com/96rSsl4HQs
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 28, 2023
Surviving to Drive is officially a #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER! 📕
Click here to get your copy ➡️ https://t.co/Nf43ZrS1mE#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/V54GuHRpzs
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) April 28, 2023
Just landed in #Baku and while going towards the passport control saw an #F1 volunteer holding a sign saying #MarkWebber. Turned around and saw the man himself. Turns out we were on the same plane. 😃 #AzerbaijanGP
— Ali Sadikhov (@Rossonero96) April 28, 2023
At what point is the other shoe going to drop and everyone at @F1 realises ‘oh, we’ve scheduled grand prix qualifying for a Friday afternoon when everyone’s at work…’. #F1 #AzerbaijanGP
— Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) April 28, 2023
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Alvino!