Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto both reached Q3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, lining up seventh and tenth on the grid. It is the third time this season that BWT Alpine Formula One Team has had both cars in the final part of qualifying, and a clear step from the same event a year ago, when the team qualified 16th and 19th. Managing Director Steve Nielsen says the car found a good set-up window on Baku’s demanding street circuit.
BWT Alpine Formula One Team leaves qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with both of its cars inside the top ten. Pierre Gasly took seventh with a lap of 1min 44.047secs, while Franco Colapinto ended the session tenth on 1min 44.963secs.
The day had already pointed in that direction. In the third and final practice session, Gasly was sixth quickest with a 1min 44.637secs and Colapinto tenth on 1min 45.592secs.
A step forward at a track that punished Alpine last year
The comparison the team itself draws is with 2025, when its cars started this race from 16th and 19th. Getting both drivers through to Q3 for the third time this season suggests the A526 is working on a circuit that typically exposes any weakness in balance or traction, with long straights leading into tight, wall-lined corners.
“A good Qualifying for us today with both cars in Q3 for the third time this season. It seems we have put the car in a good set-up window here with both drivers able to push and commit to corners lap after lap, which is often a tricky thing to balance in Baku with the conditions and track layout,” said Steve Nielsen, Managing Director.
Nielsen added that the midfield remains tight: “We’ve seen other teams make a step forward, so it remains close and competitive in the midfield.”
Gasly: best Baku feeling in a long time
Gasly described the balance of his car as the strongest he has had at the street circuit for years, but said yellow flags cost him in the final segment.
“Q1 and Q2 were particularly good, we built up our speed lap after lap and we were really in the mix throughout. Q3 was a little messy with yellow flags compromising my laps but that is just a typical characteristic and expectation at this track,” the Frenchman said. He added that the team would “remain realistic” in its expectations while aiming to score as many points as possible.
Nielsen confirmed the interruptions were a factor: “Pierre was hindered a few times by yellow flags in Q3, so he knows more was probably possible.”
Colapinto compromised by a flat spot
Colapinto’s Q3 unravelled at the other end of the lap. “I locked up into Turn 15 and had to complete my final lap with massive vibrations due to a flat spotted tyre,” he said, while pointing out that he had reached the final segment without the benefit of a tow — a significant help on Baku’s long run to the line.
He said his target for the race is to move forward and score points again.
What it means
Starting seventh and tenth gives Alpine two cars in position to take points, on a track where safety cars and incidents regularly reshuffle the order. With the midfield close, converting both grid slots would be a meaningful result for a team that qualified well outside the top ten here last year.
Facts: Alpine in Baku qualifying
- Free Practice 3: Gasly P6, 1min 44.637secs; Colapinto P10, 1min 45.592secs
- Qualifying: Gasly P7, 1min 44.047secs; Colapinto P10, 1min 44.963secs
- Third double Q3 appearance of the season for the team
- 2025 qualifying at the same event: P16 and P19
- Car: Alpine A526
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is run the day after qualifying.
Source: media.alpinecars.com