It was a properly strong day out in Baku for Mari Boya and PREMA Racing, delivering two genuinely impressive qualifying results with a P6 and a P4 across the sessions.
Now, here is the wild part: the Spaniard managed his P4 in Q2 entirely on his own, completing his flying lap down the main start/finish straight without a single drop of slipstream. PREMA opted to send him out into clean air for his final run rather than getting dragged into the usual chaotic games for track position. While giving up the tow cost him a shot at pole, it meant his lap came down to pure, unadulterated pace. Boya admitted he was left with mixed feelings knowing a top three was likely on the cards had he taken a tow, but he gave full credit to his crew for executing a difficult session cleanly through sharp radio calls and clear strategy.
It's also strange asking for a pole or maybe wanting a pole because I've never been in the top 10 this season,
Things had felt smooth right from the opening lap of practice for the squad, and the driver could not hide his relief in the paddock. "I'm feeling super good," he stated after jumping out of the machine. "It's a feeling I would say I forgot about. But I think there's still something in there. I needed this result, it's my first time in Baku and I think the momentum from Madrid is helping, but as I said, we've had a lot of transition in the team." He pointed out that while adapting to the category has been tough with all the movement behind the scenes, every single week brings visible progress and a better environment around him.
It is a massive turnaround for a driver who has spent the season fighting outside the top ten. "It's also strange asking for a pole or maybe wanting a pole because I've never been in the top 10 this season," Boya noted, though he firmly believed P2 was more than possible. Having survived plenty of bad luck earlier in the year, he feels the team has finally proved they belong at the sharp end of the grid, especially on a super technical circuit that is completely new to him.
Looking ahead to the Friday races, the target is clear: secure a triple score of vital points. The work doesn't stop here, either. The team plans to dive straight into the data overnight because Boya is convinced there is still more pace locked inside the beast. When the car is sitting properly in its operating window, finding those final few tenths becomes a whole different game compared to being completely lost on setup. Being inside the top five and still finding areas to improve is a brand-new sensation for him this year, and it bodes dangerously well for the remainder of Round 12.
