Ted Kravitz left perplexed by F1 team’s ‘terrible mistake’ at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

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Ted Kravitz was left perplexed during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a Formula 1 team’s ‘terrible mistake’ that cost their driver a chance to post a final time.

For the fourth year in a row, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will head the field after taking pole position for the Azerbaijan GP. The Monegasque will now push to finally convert a P1 start in Baku after taking fourth in 2021 plus third in 2023, but retiring with an engine issue in 2022.

Qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP was not ideal for Lando Norris, on the other hand, with P17 all the McLaren driver could manage after a frustrating end to Q1. Max Verstappen also only managed sixth, behind Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez and George Russell.

Ted Kravitz could not believe Williams left a fan in Alex Albon’s airbox in Q3 in Baku

Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Franco Colapinto and Alex Albon rounded out the top-10 in qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP. But more may have been on offer to Albon had Williams not made what Kravitz calls a ‘terrible mistake’ by leaving a fan in the airbox of his car in Q3.

Albon was eighth in the standings as the field headed back out to post their final lap times in qualifying. Yet the 28-year-old had to immediately move to the side exiting the pit lane after Williams realised their mistake. He was then able to get the fan out, but lost too much time.

READ MORE: Five unforgettable Azerbaijan Grand Prix including Verstappen vs Ricciardo

Kravitz could not believe a team of Williams’ ilk would make such an error that cost Albon a chance to improve his qualifying position for the Azerbaijan GP. The race stewards also took a dim view about the matter and put Albon under investigation for an unsafe release in Q3.

“It’s a massive yellow fan, how could you miss it?” Kravitz told Sky Sports F1 (13/09, 13:58). “How could the mechanics miss it?

“I can’t believe they’d make such a mistake at Williams, such an experienced bunch of guys and girls. What is going on at Williams operationally? How can you send a car out like that?

“I think, operationally, they knew if Albon got it out and lobbed it out the side, that doesn’t count as outside interference and he can continue. I think they’re going to get away with it. Save their bacon, Alex managing some dexterity with his hands. Such a terrible mistake.”

What have Williams said to Alex Albon about qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP?

Williams’ mistake in qualifying for the 2024 Azerbaijan GP proved costly for Albon with him unable to beat the clock and improve his provisional Q3 time to fall to P10. But they will see some cause for optimism ahead of Sunday’s race with having both cars qualify in the top 10.

But with Albon unable to set one last flying lap in Q3, Williams team principal James Vowles could only apologise to their driver. He further assured the London-born Thai that the Grove team would work hard to avoid repeating the operational error that left Kravitz bewildered.

“Alex, you drove spectacularly through qualifying, well done for that,” Vowles said over the radio. “I’m sorry for that incident. We’re going to make sure that is doesn’t happen again.”