Thanks to a stellar qualification, Lando Norris has secured pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will start second on Sunday. Max Verstappen was less fortunate: he will start seventh after a yellow flag in Q3.
Q1: Disappointing Performances from Tsunoda and Sainz
McLaren, the favourite, immediately flexes its muscles on the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, with Norris and Oscar Piastri being fourteenth of a second faster than the rest. Verstappen performs well, but has to watch as his teammate Yuki Tsunoda disappoints. The Japanese driver, who had been doing well until the qualification, sinks to eighteenth in Q1. Carlos Sainz’s performance, P19, is also subpar.
Eliminated: Stroll, Ocon, Tsunoda, Sainz, Hülkenberg
Q2: Sparks Fly in Spielberg
A small fire in Austria! Because Lewis Hamilton briefly ends up in the grass with his Ferrari, it catches fire. This results in a red flag, before the session is resumed after some time. Verstappen faces problems: he describes his car as uncontrollable. Nevertheless, the Dutchman makes it to Q3, but it’s not a good sign. The biggest surprise: Gabriel Bortoleto. He advances to the third and final part of the qualification in the Sauber as fifth. It will be the first Q3 of his budding F1 career.
Eliminated: Alonso, Albon, Hadjar, Colapinto, Bearman
Q3: Pole for the Strong Norris
Norris – who will have to report to the race direction after the race to be heard about an earlier incident – sets the pace. He is temporarily ahead of the rest in the first attempt of Q3. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc positions himself between the two McLarens, as he outperforms Oscar Piastri. With a used set of soft tires, Verstappen is sixth after the first run, but he cannot improve due to a yellow flag. Norris, however, does improve, sharpening his fastest time and thereby adding even more shine to his pole.
