F1 qualification chaos as three purple flags and ‘large influence’ leaves particles throughout the observe

Azerbaijan Grand Prix’s first qualifying session descended into chaos with three red flags as the start of Q2 was delayed due to the debris left on the track

The qualification for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix descended into chaos on Saturday lunchtime as three red flags and debris on the track saw a delay to the start of Q2.

Nico Hulkenberg was the first to see the red flag fly when, on medium tyres, he exited turn three causing him to lock up. Hulkenberg’s Sauber hit the wall causing debris to scatter across the turn.

And no sooner had the racing got back underway when there was a second red flag – this time for Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli said he had “no brake” when he fumbled at turn 16.

“The corners are big braking zones here and it’s easy to catch a front tyre and to end up going down the escape roads,” Abbi Pulling explained on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Your references are always changing with the light shifting throughout the day and the shadows moving, making your perception of the track a little bit different every time you go out.”

The final red flag of the session was waved after Pierre Gasly went off the track.

However, it was Alpine’s other drive, Franco Colapinto, that took a worse hit when he slammed the side of his car into a wall when the yellow flag – which was upgraded to red – was out.

“Both of the Alpines are off at turn four, a really big impact on the exit for Franco Colapinto. I think he was distracted by Pierre Gasly who was pulled off on the side,” Pulling added.

Both of the Alpine’s would, quite literally crash out, in Q1, alongside Alex Albon, Estaban Ocon and Hulkenberg.

“A bit (of a) rookie error, let’s say. I think I was first out on my first push, so I was the first car through turn 1, and had absolutely no grip, and then when I came back lap later, had huge grip,” Albon said.

“I can’t blame anyone but myself. It was a bit a of a silly error. It’s a shame because we’ve been really quick all weekend.”