TBT: Baku 2018. Albon. Norris. Russell.
Eight years ago, Formula 2 qualifying in Baku was a thing of beauty: Albon on pole, Norris P2, Russell P3. Covered by just 0.362s.
Same machinery. Same track. Pure talent shining through.
Fast forward to Baku today, and that trio can never lock out the front again. Not because they lost it, but because F1 does not work like that.
In F2, the castle section rewarded bravery. Here in F1, it rewards the car.
Russell has the Mercedes to fight at the front. Norris has had the McLaren to fight, when Baku does not bite him first. Albon has the heart and the Baku magic, but a Williams that is doing miracles just to reach Q3.
2018 proved they were the class of a generation. 2026 proves how cruel F1 can be: three drivers, same talent, three very different machines.
#F1 #AzerbaijanGP