Franco Colapinto reaches Q3 in Baku, ruins his final lap with a locked-up brake and subsequently jokes about a visit to the dentist
Franco Colapinto was pleased with ninth place in the Baku qualifying session despite a botched Q3 attempt. The Alpine driver struggled with severe vibrations in the decisive stage following a brake fade. His conclusion was accordingly unusual: after the session, he might have to go to the dentist.
Colapinto had made it through to Q3 alongside his team-mate Pierre Gasly. Gasly qualified in seventh place, whilst Colapinto finished ninth. For the Argentine, this was essentially a good result, even if his final session did not go to plan.
“Q3 is good, and so is having both cars through. On my first run in Q3, I had very strong vibrations,” explained Colapinto. This had affected the lap. Nevertheless, he said it was important to be in contention for points tomorrow.
Brake fade causes severe vibrations
The cause of the problems was quickly identified. Colapinto locked up the front right wheel in a braking zone, resulting in significant brake fade. According to the Alpine driver, this resulted in massive vibrations for the rest of the lap.
“I locked up the front right and suffered a major brake fade. My lap was marred by crazy vibrations,” said Colapinto. He then made an unusual comparison: “Maybe I’ll have to go to the dentist afterwards.”
The botched Q3 lap was particularly frustrating for Colapinto because he’d been feeling confident up to that point. “It was going well up to Q3,” he explains. After that, he made the mistake, and the entire lap was subsequently compromised.
Nevertheless, Colapinto is optimistic about the race. His Alpine had already looked competitive throughout the weekend in Baku. “I think we’ve got a good race car,” he says. That’s why he hopes to be able to move even further up the field from his starting position.
Alpine impresses again in qualifying
Colapinto also sees positive developments with the car. On a circuit with comparatively little downforce, the Alpine proved to be competitive. At the same time, there are still areas where the team needs to continue working.
“Generally speaking, the car was fast again this weekend,” explains the Argentine. He also finds the handling has become more pleasant and comfortable. It is precisely this improved feel in the car that Colapinto now wants to capitalise on in the race.
Meanwhile, team-mate Gasly confirms the car’s potential. For the Frenchman, an even better starting position would have been possible. On his fastest lap, he lost the slipstream on the long straight after Colapinto went off at Turn 15.
Gasly even sees sixth place within reach
On his fast lap, Gasly was around 2.5 seconds behind Colapinto and was therefore unable to make the most of the crucial slipstream. By his own estimate, this already cost him around two tenths of a second.
” “I think Lewis would have been within our reach; even sixth place was possible,” explains Gasly. In the second attempt, however, the opportunity was also quickly lost after Lando Norris made a mistake in the opening corners.
Despite these missed opportunities, Gasly is satisfied with seventh place. He also sees further potential at Alpine. When the car is in the right operating window, it handles well. Gasly believes he could have squeezed another seven-tenths out of his lap.
Gasly expects Antonelli to pose a threat
In the race, Kimi Antonelli in particular could apply pressure from the back of the field. Gasly expects the Mercedes driver to be able to work his way through the midfield. “He’ll cut through the traffic like butter – soft butter,” says Gasly of Antonelli. He therefore expects it to be a difficult task against the Mercedes pace.
His own goal is clearer: Gasly wants to stay ahead of the midfield contenders for as long as possible, whilst at the same time trying not to lose touch with the group in front of him.