Sebastian Vettel made it three pole positions in a row for the 2018 Formula 1 season, setting the fastest time in qualifying Saturday for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.Ferrari and Vettel mean business this year and again came out on top. As has often been the case in 2018, Vettel’s biggest challenger for pole came from the other side of the garage; but Kimi Räikkönen made a small error at turn 15 on his final run. 
The Finn had been up on the pole time but, after spinning the wheels up, finished the day in P6. He also made a mistake in Q2, so will start on the ultra-soft tire compared with the harder super-soft of those around him. Vettel was relieved. “I felt the car was good in Q1, Q2 and in the last segment of qualifying I knew that I had it, I have the car that does what I want — not have it as in pole position but I could get a good lap together,” said Vettel. “The first lap I was really happy. There were maybe two tiny bits where it wasn’t exactly perfect, though I knew that on the second run the track would rubber up; I’d have to go out and get it again. “I was a little bit down on the time, I was a little bit faster but then I locked up. It caught me by surprise for turn three and then I wasn’t sure whether to go straight or try to hang onto it. I tried to hang onto it but yeah. Fortunately it (the first time) was enough so I really had a good lap on the first attempt so I’m really happy.”
Lewis Hamilton has not had the best of seasons since qualifying on pole for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But in a long season, consistency is key and Hamilton has been nothing if not consistent. Picking up points with every opportunity, the reigning champion is pleased with the overnight improvements made by his Mercedes team and is confident that he can do something in Sunday’s Grand Prix.