British Grand Prix – Qualifying: Difficulties at Ferrari and disappointment for Red Bull

Q1:

The qualifications of the day were marked by a 60% chance of rain, following showers that had already occurred during the morning’s free practice sessions. The drivers started the session with intermediate tires due to the still wet track. Lando Norris slipped, demonstrating the importance of intermediate tires in these conditions, and then Charles Leclerc missed a turn and went off track. Haas took its time before sending its drivers out on the track. Kevin Magnussen only left the pits with 12 minutes remaining on the clock.

Charles Leclerc was the first to switch to soft tires, followed by Valtteri Bottas. Magnussen completed his first lap after 10 minutes and climbed into the top 10. A red flag was waved with 7 minutes remaining in the session after Sergio Perez went off track, stuck in the gravel. His position at Red Bull seems to be threatened after the rumors this weekend. Perez tried to convince the marshals to push him to resume qualifying, but he was forced to retire.

The session resumed with 7 minutes and 30 seconds on the clock, it’s Nico Hülkenberg’s first lap on the track. Rain is expected in 5 minutes, so drivers had to rely on their first laps when the session resumed. An investigation has been opened against Lance Stroll for leaving the pits under red flag conditions, with a hearing scheduled after the session.

The rain returned in force, causing many drivers to come out just before the end of the qualifications. Oscar Piastri took the lead with a time that was difficult to catch up on intermediate tires. At the end of the session, the Mercedes cars moved up in the lead, while no Alpine was able to advance to Q2.

List of eliminated in Q1

: Gasly (20th), Perez (19th), Ocon (18th), Magnussen (17th), Bottas (16th)

Q2:

The rain stopped at the beginning of the second qualifying session, this time all drivers decide to head out on the track. The leader constantly changes, making the session very dynamic. George Russell had a very poor initial lap, ranking 15th, but he immediately goes out for a second lap and climbs to 9th place, still a risky position to make it to Q3. He goes back to the pits to change tires. Carlos Sainz manages to set the best time with worn tires, but Oscar Piastri soon overtakes him with his new tires. Nico Hülkenberg shows a great performance in the second session and sets the best time three minutes before the end, before being overtaken by the two Mercedes and Lando Norris. At Red Bull, Max Verstappen’s damaged floor prevents him from setting good qualifying times. Charles Leclerc, in 12th position, goes out for a crucial final lap and rises to 7th place, but is quickly overtaken by other drivers, including Lance Stroll. He fails to stay in the top 10 and will not be present in the third qualifying session. However, with ongoing investigations on Lance Stroll, Leclerc could potentially re-enter the top 10 for the race.

List of eliminated in Q2

: Ricciardo (15th), Zhou (14th), Tsunoda (13th), Sargeant (12th), Leclerc (11th)

Q3:

The third qualifying session begins with a green flag, but the drivers remain in the pits. Alexander Albon and Max Verstappen are the first to hit the track on dry tires. The times are very close, with only a few thousandths of a second separating the top three, and the leader frequently changes. As usual, the drivers return to the pits after their first run to put on new tires, their last chance to improve their time. Nico Hülkenberg climbs to fifth place in the standings, just behind a struggling Verstappen. Lando Norris chooses not to do a final lap and heads straight back to the pits. Lewis Hamilton sets the fastest time, but is quickly overtaken by George Russell, who secures pole position for tomorrow. The two Mercedes drivers occupy the top two spots, followed by Norris.

Standings after qualifications: