Théo Pourchaire confident, believes in the podium after his good qualifying session

Is this your first time in Baku? Can you compare it to Monaco now that you have won in the principality?

« For me it’s just as tough as Monaco, and sometimes even tougher. It depends on the parts of the circuit. Monaco is a very narrow track and you don’t reach high speeds. It’s quite fast between the barriers but here it’s very, very fast. Turns 13 and 19 are two very fast corners.

In F2, we are flat out in qualifying but in the race we can’t. We have less aero than in F1 and without power steering we struggle with the car. That’s how we learn. It’s really a top circuit.

« It’s going to be really intense with on-track action, overtaking. I think it’s going to be much more lively than in Monaco. In the middle of the circuit, we will follow each other but with DRS on the straight it will overtake a lot.

In Monaco, you signed the pole and were able to secure the victory. At this stage of the Grand Prix, you had already done a big part of the work. Here, do you think you have opportunities starting from 4th place?

4th, I can still win or finish outside the top 10.

4th, I can still win or finish outside the top 10. It’s very open here. While in Monaco it’s more difficult. In Baku, it’s not really controllable. There can be 5 or 6 safety cars, a problem in the pit stop, etc… but I hope to get a podium finish.

What do you think of the wind here?

There was quite a bit of wind this morning and for qualifying it was fine, but it’s complicated to manage. The wind is never in the same direction and between the walls it’s tricky to handle, but it’s the same for all drivers.

Théo Pourchaire qualified in 4th position. He will therefore start 4th in the 3rd race, the long race on Sunday morning. The grid is reversed for the first race and he will start 7th in the first race tomorrow morning. Race 2 is determined based on the finish of race 1.

Is it a good 4th position? Is it strategically interesting?

« It’s a question that you can honestly ask yourself [ed. note: from the outside], but we don’t think about this kind of strategy. We are focused 100% and the goal is to secure the pole and score 4 points. But it is true that starting 4th allows us to avoid the pack in the middle of the field and the risks associated with it.

« It is a track on which overtaking is possible and starting the race in 7th place in race 1 poses risks. The drivers in 11th and 12th place can take a lot of risks to secure 10th place and start in pole position for race 2. One must resist that. »

In Baku, Théo Pourchaire is taking part in his 5th Grand Prix in F2 and therefore his 5th race with pit stops. In F3, pit stops are not allowed. Do you still fear this moment?

« I am always learning. Especially here in Baku, it’s very particular with a big, dangerous zigzag. You have to get used to it and above all not try to save too much time. You mustn’t want to be perfect. It’s better to lose 5 tenths than to try to gain two and lose a second. You have to be serene and focused.

The French driver therefore signs the 4th fastest time of the day behind Lawson, Vips and Piastri.