Austrian Grand Prix: Verstappen on pole

Cloudy sky. Dry. Air +32…31С, highway +47…44С

The disadvantage of a sprint weekend is that the balance of power is almost clear at the start of the main qualifying. Verstappen showed the best time in training, won qualifying for the sprint and then the sprint. The McLaren drivers finished right behind him, just slightly behind.

The stands were already filled in the morning. The fans dressed in orange uniforms were happy, Max was winning, the situation was almost exactly the same as last year, only his biggest rivals were Ferrari drivers then.

Overtaking in Spielberg is not easy, a lot depends on the start and position on the track, so the battle in qualifying on the short lap of the Austrian circuit turned out to be sharp and traditionally tight.

Added intrigue and penalties, with the result being annulled for violating the boundaries of the course. There were gravel traps in two corners, so there were fewer penalties than last year, but even before the start of qualifying their number was more than a dozen.

It was hot during qualifying. The asphalt temperature was approaching 50 degrees, the wind made the situation easier for the fans, but more complicated for the racers.

In the first session everyone went to Soft. The riders tried to spread out across the short track, but traffic was still in the way.

On the first attempt, Sainz showed the best time – 1:05.263 – no one could beat this result. Albon, Stroll, Bottas, Sargent and Zhou dropped out of further competition.

In the second session the traffic became less and the riders tried not to hinder each other. On the first attempt Verstappen drove the fastest: 1:04.577.

At the second attempt, Max clocked 1:04.469, beating his nearest opponent by an incredible half second. At the same time, the positions from second to tenth were separated by 26 hundredths. Ricciardo, Magnussen, Gasly, Tsunoda and Alonso did not qualify for the final.

Daniel Ricciardo did not qualify for the final qualifying round

In the final Verstappen set a new benchmark on his first attempt: 1:04.426.

Leaving the pits, Hamilton grabbed the rear jack and hose, which the mechanics did not remove. There were no consequences; the stewards will investigate the incident after the session.

On the second attempt, Verstappen drove even faster: 1:04.314.

In an attempt to improve, Leclerc flew off the track without any consequences for the car. Piastri’s time was removed for exceeding the track’s limits, dropping from third to seventh place.

Max Verstappen won qualifying for the main race in Spielberg, taking his eighth pole position of the season and the fortieth of his career.

Max Verstappen won qualifying for the main race in Spielberg, taking his eighth pole position of the season and the 40th of his career.

On Sunday, Verstappen and Norris will share the front row, Russell and Sainz will start from second place, Hamilton and Leclerc from third place.

Qualification results

Pilot Team 1 session Session 2 Session 3
M Time Kr M Time Kr M Time Kr
1. M. Verstappen Red Bull 3 1:05.336 6 1 1:04.469 6 1 1:04.314 6
2. L. Norris McLaren 4 1:05,450 9 6 1:05.103 5 2 1:04,718 6
3. D.Russell Mercedes eleven 1:05.585 6 3 1:05.016 6 3 1:04.840 6
4. K. Sainz Ferrari 1 1:05.263 6 2 1:05.016 6 4 1:04.851 6
5. L. Hamilton Mercedes 7 1:05.541 6 4 1:05.053 6 5 1:04.903 6
6. S. Leclerc Ferrari 6 1:05,509 8 7 1:05.104 8 6 1:05,044 6
7. O. Piastri McLaren 2 1:05.311 6 5 1:05,070 5 7 1:05.048 6
8. C. Perez Red Bull 12 1:05.587 9 8 1:05.144 6 8 1:05.202 6
9. N. Hulkenberg Hare 13 1:05,596 9 9 1:05.262 6 9 1:05.385 6
10. E. Okon Alps 10 1:05.574 9 10 1:05.274 9 10 1:05.883 6
11. D. Ricciardo RB 9 1:05.569 9 eleven 1:05.289 6
12. K.Magnussen Hare 5 1:05,508 9 12 1:05.347 6
13. P.Gasly Alps 14 1:05,598 9 13 1:05.359 9
14. Yu.Tsunoda RB 8 1:05.563 9 14 1:05.412 6
15. F. Alonso Aston Martin 15 1:05.656 9 15 1:05.639 6
16. A. Elbon Williams 16 1:05.736 9
17. L. Walk Aston Martin 17 1:05.819 9
18. V. Bottas Sauber 18 1:05.847 9
19. L. Sargent Williams 19 1:05.856 9
20. G.Zhou Sauber 20 1:06.061 9

Source: F1 News

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