Sebastian Vettel admitted he “got too excited” on his final hot lap during qualifying in Azerbaijan and expressed relief that his initial benchmark proved quick enough for pole position.
Vettel led the way after the first runs around the streets of Baku, recording a 1.41.498, but locked up into Turn 3 on his second effort, as he attempted to make an improvement.
Neither Mercedes driver was able to overhaul Vettel, despite setting personal bests, though Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was on course to beat the German.
In full: Azerbaijan GP qualifying results
However, Raikkonen made an error through the Turn 16 left-hander and came up short, and with neither Red Bull driver seriously in contention, it sealed pole for Vettel.
“I was able to carry [confidence] into the day and the car was amazing,” said Vettel.
“It just kept getting better. The track picked up quite a bit through qualifying. Q3 run one I was really happy.
“There was maybe a tiny bit in the middle sector – in Turn 6, Turn 11 – where I was a bit greedy and went a bit wider than I should, but the rest of the lap was really good.
“Then for the second run I knew there was a little bit more in those places that I mentioned and the car was on fire straight away but then I think I got a bit too excited for Turn 3 and tried to brake later, quite a bit later, than the laps before.
“I must have hit the bump as well and locked the front. From then onwards the front left was flat-spotted.
“I was quite upset at the time in the car, because I burnt my shot at an improvement and I didn’t know what was going around me. So when I then aborted the lap and I was told pole position then obviously I was really happy. I think the team has done well. We’ve changed the car again overnight and found even more performance.”
It is the first time Vettel has taken pole at the Baku City Circuit.
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