Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
George Russell has taken pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Formula 1 standings leader Kimi Antonelli hit the wall in qualifying.
With his teammate Antonelli out of the running, Russell showed why Mercedes is such a big favourite at the Baku track as he went nearly a second faster than anyone else.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was .837 of a second off the pace in second while Australian driver Oscar Piastri was third-fastest for McLaren, a further .001 back.
Isack Hadjar was fourth for Red Bull on his return from injury and no one else got within a second of Russell.
It is the first pole for the British driver since the Austrian Grand Prix in June, which was also his most recent win. The long straight at Baku favours Mercedes’ engine and car design.
“It has been a while since I have been on pole, so it definitely feels good,” Russell said.
“It is probably the biggest (pole) margin of my whole career, even in my Formula Two and Formula Three days, and that felt really sweet.
“We are in a great place to go for the win, but this is Baku and anything can happen.”
Antonelli is set to start Saturday’s race in 16th place on the grid after he clipped the wall and damaged a wheel and his suspension in the first part of qualifying.
The Mercedes driver’s previous lap time was enough to reach the second part of qualifying but he was unable to continue.
– with PA
