Split fortunes hit Atlassian Williams Racing in Azerbaijan GP Qualifying as Carlos Sainz reached an incredible P2 as our sole Q3 representative in a red flag-filled session.
Alex Albon triggered the first red flag after hitting the inside wall of the Turn 1 left-hander to break his front-left wheel and exit Q1 after only six minutes, with a single 1:43.778 lap.
Carlos continued on alone, and recorded a 1:41.595 to line up on the front row for Sunday's race in Baku after a record-breaking session featuring six stoppages.
That P2 qualification is the team's best Qualifying result since the 2021 Belgian GP, and will see Carlos gunning from the sharp end for the Grand Prix.
Carlos emerged through Q1's three red flags in P14. Alex was far from the only driver touching the walls, with Nico Hulkenberg breaking his front wing and Franco Colapinto smashing into the wall, both at Turn 4.
His time was not representative of his speed, though, with a 1:42.635 time coming without a final run.
Our No. 55 was the last driver over the line and gearing up to set one last lap. Two separate incidents for the Alpine drivers prematurely ended the session, however, and any chance of an improvement as the red flags waved.
Q2 wasn't easy either, with Ollie Bearman triggering an early stoppage that halted any laps being recorded for nearly half of the 15 minutes.
Medium compound tyres were equipped when the green light illuminated at the end of the pit lane for our Spaniard's time of 1:41.675 to sit P7 after everyone's first efforts.
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The yellow-ringed rubber proved Carlos' favoured Pirellis as he took a new set for his second hot lap.
There was no need to improve, though, and Carlos abandoned his push after finding yellow flags at Turn 1, ending Q2 in P9, just 0.420s from P1.
Used Mediums proved Carlos' choice for his first Q3 charge, too, and he was the second driver to set a lap as drizzle began to fall.
Navigating the slippery conditions as others made mistakes, Carlos managed a 1:41.595 to provisionally grab P1 ahead of the two Racing Bulls.
Charles Leclerc found the barriers to trigger a fifth red flag, and the stoppage left Carlos atop the pile with only three cars able to set a time.
A lengthy stoppage kept Carlos sitting P1 throughout as the rain fell harder, but another red flag soon followed.
Trying used Softs when the green light illuminated again, Carlos abandoned his first attempt to return to the pit lane, and it proved a wise decision as Oscar Piastri hit the barriers for the sixth red flag of the day.
With the final green flag running coming at 17:54 local time, almost two hours from the session's start, Carlos used the Mediums again for his last attempt.
Max Verstappen's bold lap proved the only time fast enough to beat that effort from Carlos, and the reigning champion will occupy the front row with Carlos.
Alex's exit means he will start the race from P20, barring any penalties for other drivers ahead of lights out.
Although Alex's Saturday afternoon didn't go as he would hope, there are still reasons to be hopeful for the race.
Albono has reached points in the previous two races at Zandvoort and Monza after starting from P15 and P14, respectively.
He also locked in a solid P7 in FP3 earlier today to add to his P5 and P9 finishes in FP1 and FP2 yesterday to show the speed this FW47 possesses.
James Vowles, Williams Team Principal, shared his congratulations after Carlos crossed the line:
"Vamos Carlos! Well done! It's a brilliant, brilliant Qualifying session!"
Carlos Sainz summed up his Saturday very simply, saying, "Great effort today! Very happy!"
He continued to say, "We executed a very difficult Qualifying perfectly, nailing every call and putting together some very solid laps when it mattered the most.
"We need to feel proud of the steps we are making and today’s result, but at the same time the weekend is not over yet.
"Tomorrow will be tough but I fully trust I have strong pace and I will do everything to bring home a great result. Let’s go for it!"
Sadly there were contrasting fortunes for Alex, who said, "I’m very disappointed after a mistake in Q1 ended our Qualifying early.
"I made a mistake on my second push lap, the track had evolved, and I was caught out with the different levels of grip going into the corner.
"It was a misjudgement, and it is a shame as the car was feeling good all weekend, and I have been running in the top 10 throughout the practice sessions.
"It’s about recovery tomorrow to make up positions and to fight through the field during the Race.
"The car has a lot of potential, and Carlos did a great job to get into the top three today.
"We will give it everything during the Race and maybe there will be some weather or luck on our side."
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James bridged both emotions after the session, saying, "Vamos, Carlos! I’m very proud of every lap that he achieved today. He was on the pace and did the team proud.
"And well done to the whole team; there’s been some diligent work over the last ten days or so understanding how to get the tyres working in Qualifying and the proof of that is in today’s result.
"A well-executed Qualifying, in very difficult conditions.
"With Alex, I’m deeply sorry for him.He had the pace today to absolutely be up there as well.
"The good news is that it’s Baku - we can overtake here so watch this space but we’ll be back in the points tomorrow."
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