Bottas: Baku sweet spot crucial to pole

Valtteri Bottas was relieved to have found the sweet spot at the most crucial time in qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to secure a second pole position of 2019 just half a tenth ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Charles Leclerc's crash in Q2 opened the door for Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel, with the Monegasque having looked a cert for pole, and it was Bottas to capitalise.

The Finn made up half a second on his final flying run in Q3, partly thanks to a slipstream down Baku's long main straight, but was also quick to point out his own contribution.

"I am really happy for pole, it is a nice feeling to get it on the last lap," Bottas said.

"It was a nice last lap and like I said Ferrari have been really strong. Obviously Charles is out with a mistake but as a team we did a really good job to be where we are now after such a difficult practice.

The Poleman 🧔! #AzerbaijanGP #Fit4F1 #F1Baku #PirelliPolePositionAward pic.twitter.com/sBW74BJR1R

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) April 27, 2019

"It is all about small margins and I did get a good tow on that last lap. Of course, the corners I have to drive as well. It is all about small details and I managed to hit the sweet spot.

"It was getting trickier and trickier and we are not supposed to race that late here but I got them to work somehow."

Bottas may be out for redemption in Baku on multiple fronts.

He missed out on a victory last time out in China after qualifying on pole, while memories of last year's heart-breaking puncture three laps out from a likely victory will also ensure the Finn is on double rounds of porridge come Sunday morning.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Oscar Piastri stunned by brutal Charles Leclerc attack

• 39 minutes ago

Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'

• 1 hour ago

F1 star Charles Leclerc bought an incredible new £15m yacht and his wife Alexandra christened it

• 2 hours ago

Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals

• 3 hours ago

Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path

• 3 hours ago

Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain

• Today 18:57