Alexander Albon says reaching Q3 must be the next target for Toro Rosso in the wake of an encouraging start to the 2019 Formula 1 season.
Toro Rosso has displayed eye-catching pace through practice sessions and has reached the top 10 in race trim at each of the opening three grands prix.
But it has yet to qualify inside the top 10, with Daniil Kvyat dropping out in Q2 at each event, while Albon – after two Q2 appearances – was unable to qualify in China after a heavy crash during practice.
“Each time I get in the car, I'm feeling more comfortable with it, my understanding of tyre management always gets better and our pace is improving steadily too,” said Albon, as he looked to next weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“Our car has been quick enough at all three races for both of us to be in Q3 and we haven't managed that yet. That should be our goal for qualifying.
“I have to consider this will be my first time on a street circuit in a Formula 1 car.
“I enjoy street tracks, especially driving a car with low downforce between the walls – after China, maybe Franz [Tost] won't enjoy watching me so much!
“Baku is a proper circuit, in the sense that, if you have the speed you can pass other cars.
“I've raced in Baku in Formula 2, in fact I won the Feature Race there, the one with all of the crashes. I got pole and I kept out of trouble, even though a bad pit stop saw me drop down to third and then we were three abreast going into Turn 1.
“We all went straight on, but I went less straight on than the other two, found myself second but managed to get past for the win!”
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