Formula 1: Liam Lawson struggles in Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying, narrowly misses top 10 start

“We made a step [up] for quali, which was good. The lap was really good up until turn 16.

“I just had no tow, as well. I tried to start close to Max, but his out lap was too quick. By the end of the lap he’d pulled away.

“It’s super frustrating watching your delta climb, and you lose all the time you’ve made up.”

To make matters worse, in the vital battle for fifth in the constructors championship, Lawson was outqualified by both Alpine cars, as Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto earned seventh and 10th place starts respectively.

Lawson’s teammate Arvid Lindblad will start 15th, after struggling all weekend – including hitting the wall during the second practice session, and being forced onto the escape roads more than once during qualifying.

At the front of the field, Mercedes’ George Russell claimed pole position by a huge 0.837s, as he hopes to fight his way back into the drivers’ championship battle. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start second next to Russell, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in third and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar – back from a three-race absence after a hairline fracture in his wrist – line up on the second row.

The pair of Max Verstappen (eighth) and Lando Norris (fifth) were both halted by yellow flags in the late stages of Q3, and were denied the chance to push for pole.

Meanwhile, world championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start in 16th, after he clipped the wall at turn one during Q1, and wasn’t able to post another time despite advancing to Q2.

However, Antonelli has already won from 19th this season, when he claimed victory at the Italian Grand Prix last month.

Liam Lawson at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Photo / Getty Images

Williams’ significant upgrade package also paid off, as Sainz qualified ninth in his team’s first Q3 appearance of the season, before his penalty.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix begins at 11pm on Saturday night – moved forward by one day to avoid clashing with the country’s national day of remembrance on Sunday.

Taking to track in Q1, after only managing the 18th-fastest time in the weekend’s final practice session, Lawson’s first attempt at setting a lap time was ruined by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll triggering a yellow flag at turn seven.

Once he was able to post his first mark, Lawson’s 1m 46.141s had him 12th by the time all drivers had completed a timed lap, 0.548s clear of elimination. Needing to improve, Lawson was able to do so twice, and managed a final lap of 1m 45.535s to sneak through as the 16th fastest car, with just 0.264s to spare after running into traffic in front.

Into Q2, as drivers began to struggle with the cooling track beneath them, Lawson’s first timed lap – after two build laps – of 1m 45.292s had him 11th, and 0.216s outside the top 10.

With less than two minutes to go, Lawson was able to improve his time to 1m 44.860s, but sat an agonising 0.011s adrift of advancing to the final session, before Colapinto’s last flying lap bumped the Kiwi down to 12th.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying results

George Russell – MercedesCharles Leclerc – FerrariOscar Piastri – McLarenIsack Hadjar – Red BullLando Norris – McLarenLewis Hamilton – FerrariPierre Gasly – AlpineMax Verstappen – Red BullCarlos Sainz – Williams *Grid penaltyFranco Colapinto – AlpineOllie Bearman – HaasLiam Lawson – Racing BullsAlex Albon – WilliamsEsteban Ocon – HaasArvid Lindblad – Racing BullsKimi Antonelli – MercedesGabriel Bortoleto – AudiNico Hulkenberg – AudiFernando Alonso – Aston MartinSergio Perez – Cadillac *Grid penaltyLance Stroll – Aston MartinValtteri Bottas – Cadillac

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.