Giovinazzi issues Alfa Romeo apology after ruining qualifying hopes

Antonio Giovinazzi has apologised to Alfa Romeo for his Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying crash but took solace in the fact it did not happen at Monaco.

F1's jewel in the crown event saw virtually no overtaking but that is expected to change at Baku with the wider, faster layout owing to better action.

Giovinazzi crashed out midway through Q1 on Saturday, just minutes after Lance Stroll had done so at the same location at turn 15 to ensure a back-row start.

"The wind was a little bit more difficult," said Giovinazzi. "I just locked up in the middle of the corner and when that happens it is difficult to recover, especially in a corner like that.

"I am sorry for the team, for sure it was my mistake but at least it is not Monaco, it is Baku so we can recover tomorrow. We have a good pace so we need to not give up.

"When you are on the limit in quali these things happen but it is important to do a better job tomorrow."

The Italian driver has been one of F1's unsung heroes so far this season with his strong performances usually undermined by bad luck, although he scored his first points of the campaign in Monaco.

On whether his form can bring more points from the back of the grid, he conceded: "I don't know.

"In Baku, we saw always a great race. I don't know. It will be difficult but we will try [our best]."

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