Parc Ferme Interviews – Performed by Jamie Chadwick
Liam, you mentioned it was going to be chaos earlier than the beginning of that session. It was absolute chaos. It was a report crimson flag quantity. How was it out of your viewpoint?Liam Lawson: Truthfully, I am unable to even bear in mind what occurred. It was so busy. Clearly, it is nonetheless raining now. It was very busy. I mentioned it might be, however I did not anticipate it to be like that, actually. However the automotive has been good all weekend. And when it wanted to be in quali, it was good. So large because of the fellows and ladies. The crew’s been superb this weekend to this point, however clearly, tomorrow’s the necessary day.
The circumstances appeared extremely powerful. We clearly spoke in regards to the wind, however the rain on the finish. Was it troublesome to enhance on that final lap?LL: It is at all times sketchy since you see the rain coming in your visor and you may really feel it. And you’ll form of see the gloss on the observe, however as a result of the tyres are nonetheless heat, you might have grip. So that you’re attempting to combat your mind and never again off and maintain pushing. However it’s undoubtedly tough.
And the race tomorrow, who do you assume your combat’s going to be with? Do you reckon you’ll be able to maintain it within the prime three?LL: It’ll be a really arduous race for certain. Now we have an incredible beginning place, however clearly, we’re conscious of who we’re preventing round us, and that is what we’ll be centered on.
Carlos, I do not wish to say I am stunned to see you. We thought perhaps there was going to be a pole place there, however how blissful are you able to be with P2?Carlos Sainz: Properly, thanks everybody for the cheers. Yeah. Very blissful. Truthfully, we nailed the qualifying immediately. Each time being on the precise tyre on the proper time and placing collectively some very sturdy laps. Clearly, the second {that a} prime automotive was going to place that lap collectively, we have been at all times going to be these 4 or 5 tenths behind like we at all times are, nevertheless it was solely one in all them, which was Max — not stunned. And for the remainder, we managed to beat them. And, yeah, we have been in P2, which is nice information.
And the way satisfying is that for you personally? It has been a troublesome few races by way of numerous points – not your personal fault. So lastly, to place a lap collectively in P2, you should be so blissful.CS: Yeah. Properly, I have been placing good laps collectively this yr in qualifying. It hasn’t been my weak point or my points in any respect. Once more, immediately, we proved that the pace on this automotive and this crew is there. I am delivering in qualifying when it counts, and sadly, the yr by way of races and factors shouldn’t be going the best way we would like. However so long as the pace is there – which, once more, immediately proves that the factors and the great races will come, and I am not apprehensive.
What is the purpose for tomorrow?CS: Plan for tomorrow? Attempt to stick it on the rostrum. I believe I’ll give it my greatest to present Williams a primary podium. If it is attainable, nice. And if it is not, we’ll see.
Max, your first pole in Baku. An unbelievable lap in tough circumstances. How was it on the market?Max Verstappen: Lengthy qualifying, to be sincere, with so many crimson flags. So it was very troublesome to mainly get your lap collectively, as a result of more often than not your tyres will not be actually prepared or once more, a crimson flag occurs. So particularly Q3, with additionally a little bit of rain round, it was a really troublesome session. After which within the remaining lap, you simply need to ship it. I wasn’t even on the perfect tyres that I needed, however due to all of the crimson flags, you mainly run out of tyres. And yeah, I am very proud of how the weekend went to this point. As a result of I believe, , from FP1, we weren’t too unhealthy, and we simply saved on enhancing a tiny quantity. After which we have been there in qualifying, and that is, in fact, the place it issues.
You appear to unlock one thing after Monza. Do you assume even regardless of the interruptions and the crimson flags and what have you ever, you continue to had an opportunity for pole immediately? Or do you assume that these circumstances appear to swimsuit you greatest?MV: No. I believe we undoubtedly have been in there for pole. After all, Q3 is at all times a bit messy for everybody. However I am simply blissful. Yeah. It looks as if since Monza, we’re doing a greater job, and I hope that we are able to proceed in that approach.
And beginning on pole place, it is a actually quick run down into Flip 1, however absolutely your purpose is simply to take it dwelling tomorrow.MV: Yeah. Nonetheless, once more, lengthy race. After all, you wish to have begin. However even then, we simply have to do our personal race, take care of our tyres, as a result of it is nonetheless fairly powerful on the tyres round right here due to the softer compounds. After which, we’ll see what occurs.
Press Convention
Max, that was your sixth pole of the season, supplying you with greater than anybody else in 2025. Simply how arduous was it to realize?MV: I believe it was only a very lengthy qualifying on the whole with all of the crimson flags, so that you by no means acquired right into a rhythm. Attempting to finish laps was already troublesome sufficient with what was occurring. Getting the tyres within the window in your warm-up lap may be very powerful round right here. Truthfully, I used to be fairly proud of how Q1 and Q2 went, however Q3 was a really lengthy wait, after which selecting what tyres to make use of for the ultimate run – there was a little bit of rain round in locations – so not simple in any respect. However ultimately, very blissful to take a seat right here.
Rain, wind, simply unpredictable observe circumstances. Are you able to elaborate a bit bit extra on how tough it was?MV: Yeah, I imply, this observe is already arduous sufficient with out something. With the sturdy winds that we had immediately, the automotive was transferring round loads – understeer, oversteer somewhere else, even on the straight, going left to proper. So, to mainly nail the whole lot, but in addition then the massive interruptions that we had, it was simply very tough immediately. However fortunately, I believe we did fairly properly.
Very properly. And now 51 laps tomorrow. The circumstances look unpredictable once more. How do you view the race?MV: Yeah, troublesome to say in the mean time. After all, it is a good beginning place. We simply need to try to do our personal race, to be sincere. Hopefully the automotive is form on its tyres, that we are able to take care of them, and simply go from there.
Alright. Very properly achieved, Max. Thanks for that. Carlos, let’s come to you now. Many congratulations. Your greatest begin for Williams. The transition from Ferrari hasn’t at all times been simple for you. So can we begin with this: what does this front-row begin imply?CS: Really, the transition has been tremendous clean, and I am very proud of the whole lot that has been occurring behind the scenes with Williams. To start with, the best way I tailored to the automotive – I used to be fast immediately from the start of the yr. Every little thing that we’re doing behind the scenes to work on subsequent yr’s automotive, which is our largest undertaking and our largest motivation as a crew. Sadly, this yr has simply been a kind of years the place nothing comes collectively in terms of Sundays and outcomes. However immediately simply proves that my pace is there – that at any time when I put good laps collectively and nothing occurs to us, I am fast. I’ve the pace. And, yeah, so long as that’s there, I do not fear. Simply having a little bit of unhealthy luck or too many racing incidents not too long ago and never with the ability to get all of the factors that we deserve as a crew is hard. But when the pace is there and we’re working properly on subsequent yr’s automotive, it does not fear me.
As you say, the pace is there. And with three minutes and 41 seconds of Q3 to go, you have been on pole. Are you a bit bit upset to not be beginning P1?CS: No, probably not, as a result of I knew my lap was good, however in all probability not adequate for pole. I imply, we all know that if a McLaren or a Crimson Bull places a lap collectively, that is three to 5 tenths on common. And likewise if the observe circumstances have been adequate – which was the massive unknown – I knew my lap was not going to be adequate. I believe our simulation mentioned on the time perhaps solely Max and Lando may beat us. So I used to be desirous about a P3. Ultimately, it was solely Max… It needed to be Max! However, on the whole, I believed as quickly as I began my lap on the finish, I used to be really coming very fast. I used to be like three or 4 tenths up on my lap. And in a technique, I used to be pondering, nice, as a result of this may even verify or obtain pole, however then I used to be pondering the leaders are going to be even faster, no? And that is precisely what occurred.
You have been assured after yesterday’s observe periods. What’s attainable within the race?CS: It hasn’t been the smoothest weekend for me. I have been battling the sensation on the brakes. With this automotive, we’re having some brake points in some demanding tracks like Canada and right here. However immediately in quali, I felt good. And most significantly, we saved the automotive constant by way of the weekend, and I believe that allowed me to… Every time there was an opportunity to place a lap collectively – which there weren’t many, I believe I did in complete three or 4 laps immediately in quali given the crimson flags – the lap was good. So, tomorrow from P2, we’ll try to maintain it constant, see the tempo of the automotive versus each one of many leaders that may try to come by way of. However if you happen to have a look at our lengthy runs yesterday, we have been really fairly fast. So I am hopeful that we are able to go for it tomorrow.
Superb luck. Thanks for that. Liam, very properly achieved to you. Your greatest beginning place in System 1. It is a particular second. What does this imply to you?LL: Yeah, it is fairly cool. It was session. It has been weekend to this point. It has been very tough, although. I believe that quali was one of many hardest ones we have in all probability skilled – attempting to maintain placing out laps, particularly when the rain’s coming down. And the quantity of crimson flags that there have been as properly – it was undoubtedly a problem. However the automotive’s been good, actually, all weekend. We have simply been fine-tuning, and I believe it was in the precise place. However when a session’s like that, actually, it is extra down to only placing a lap collectively and ensuring that you’ve got good observe place and do not get caught out by these crimson flags.
Let’s throw it ahead to tomorrow then. What’s attainable for you?LL: It is actually arduous to know. Clearly, we would love to remain the place we’re, however we’re conscious of the fellows that we’re racing as properly, and we all know that there is some faster guys behind us. So we’ll try to clearly have begin – that is the very first thing. I believe our long-run tempo was okay, however actually, when the circumstances are as windy as they have been immediately, it modifications the whole lot. So, yeah, let’s have a look at tomorrow.
Take a look at our Saturday gallery from Baku right here.
