Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2024: Lewis Hamilton set for GP pitlane start after car changes

Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon will both start from the pit lane for the race in Baku.

Lewis Hamilton will be forced to start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the pit lane despite qualifying in seventh place, after picking up a penalty.

The Mercedes driver struggled for pace against the clock, with his quickest Q3 lap nearly a second slower than that of pole-sitter Charles Leclerc.

After the session, a fifth power unit of the season was installed into Hamilton's car meaning he will be forced to start the race from the pit lane. It will add to a topsy-turvy grid in Baku, with Lando Norris also starting near the back after being knocked out in Q1.

Hamilton's penalty will see Norris promoted to 15th on the grid, having moved up two positions since the end of qualifying after Pierre Gasly was disqualified over a fuel flow infringement.

 

 

 

 

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An extended DRS zone on the home straight will provide plenty of overtaking opportunities for the likes of Hamilton and Norris. Safety car interruptions will also be a real possibility, given the unpredictable nature of the Baku City Circuit.

Speaking after qualifying behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell yet again, Hamilton explained that he struggled to keep his tyre temperatures within the ideal operating window.

"Yesterday the car was amazing, it felt great and I honestly think it could have been at least second row today, but I came today and all of a sudden, the tyres didn't work all day," he said.

The Baku event – with its track’s long straights and the tyre management requirements of Sunday’s race – meant Mercedes decided to take the penalty hit here after its disappointing qualifying on Saturday in Azerbaijan.

 

 

 

 

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Hamilton qualified seventh after failing to get his tyres working well at the start of his final lap in Q3, after being told to slow down late in his warm-up tour due to Alex Albon’s Williams being temporarily stuck at the pitlane exit with its cooling fan still attached to its airbox.

The delay in pushing on to start his final flier meant Hamilton’s tyres “wouldn’t work” – something Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said also impacted George Russell in the other W15, given the younger Briton was running just ahead of his team-mate.