Austrian Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying: Verstappen just ahead of McLaren, Leclerc frustrated

After the only free practice session earlier this morning, the drivers are back on track for the Sprint qualifying. A slightly different format from a classic qualifying format: the session is a bit shorter and the tires are imposed. Drivers must necessarily use medium tires in SQ1 and SQ2, then soft tires in SQ3.

SQ1: Hamilton and Tsunoda scare each other, Ricciardo can’t do it.

The sun is back on the Red Bull Ring track and the temperature is typical for the season in Austria: over 27 degrees on the thermometer before the drivers take off.

Lewis Hamilton leaves the garages first for a timed lap. Very enthusiastic in Austria, maybe too much, he has a nice scare at the exit of the first turn by going wide. His lap is deleted for going too wide at the exit of turn 6. George Russell set the fastest time in 1:05.764. The McLarens and Ferraris are placed just behind the Mercedes driver.

Max Verstappen completes a nice lap and takes the lead, less than a tenth ahead of George Russell! Sergio Perez is over 5 tenths behind his teammate. The time gaps are extremely close: the top 15 cars are practically within one second of each other! At the end of the first attempts, Daniel Ricciardo, Alexander Albon, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Guanyu Zhou are virtually eliminated.

Lewis Hamilton improves his time: he moves up to 11th place but remains in danger. Daniel Ricciardo improves but occupies the worst possible position: 15th. He is immediately demoted by Pierre Gasly. The French driver improves and will find himself in Q2.

Yuki Tsunoda misses just before the last corner! The Japanese driver places two wheels in the famous new gravel trap at turn 9. He almost completely lost control of his car. He is inches away from being eliminated but qualifies narrowly: 15th at the end of Q1. Logan Sargeant qualifies, but not his teammate Alex Albon. The Alpine cars are also in Q2. Max Verstappen sets the best lap of this Q1.

The eliminated of the SQ1: Zhou (20th), Albon (19th), Bottas (18th), Hülkenberg (17th), Ricciardo (16th).

SQ2: Verstappen still in the lead, the 2 Alpine cars finish in SQ3!

Always on medium tires for all drivers, Max Verstappen starts again on the same basis and sets the provisional best time in 1:05.186. George Russell is the one who is closest to the Red Bull driver: he is just over a tenth behind. Drivers are increasingly cutting into the two gravel traps of turns 9 and 10.

The majority will make only one attempt during this Q2. Esteban Ocon sets the 9th time. Pierre Gasly is just behind in tenth position. Many have not yet completed their lap, qualifying for Q3 is going to be difficult…

Lance Stroll messes up the final corner and loses too much time to get ahead of the French. Kevin Magnussen posts the best time in the first sector! He’s the only driver who could ultimately knock Pierre Gasly out of the top 10; the other drivers weren’t fast enough. The gap is going to be tiny… and Kevin Magnussen is behind! By less than a tenth, the two Alpine drivers are in Q1! Max Verstappen once again sets the fastest lap. He’s going to be tough to beat in a few moments…

The eliminated from the SQ2: Sargeant (15th), Tsunoda (14th), Alonso (13th), Stroll (12th), Magnussen (11th).

SQ3: Charles Leclerc victim of a problem when leaving the pits

The soft tires are out. In red compounds, drivers will attempt to secure pole position in the Sprint qualifying. So far, nobody has gone out. With 4 minutes left in SQ3, no car is on track!

One minute later, the 2 Mercedes come out of the pits, the other cars immediately take their wheels. There will be only one attempt for the drivers. Charles Leclerc is stuck in the pit lane! He finally sets off… will he have time to record a flying lap, just a minute before the end of the session?

George Russell sets the fastest time in 1:05.054, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Oscar Piastri beats the Mercedes drivers but it’s Lando Norris who takes the lead! Charles Leclerc took the checkered flag and will not be able to complete his flying lap! Disaster for the Ferrari driver, he had a problem when leaving the pit lane…

Max Verstappen is the last on the track… and he takes the pole position! He is leading by less than a tenth ahead of Lando Norris. The gaps are very close! The McLaren drivers complete the podium for the Sprint qualifying. The French drivers are 8th and 9th ahead of Charles Leclerc who didn’t set a time.

Qualifying rankings for the Austrian Grand Prix Sprint