The qualifications took place in perfect conditions, under bright sunshine, with 22\u00b0C in the air and 42\u00b0C on the track. While the Sauber and Manor were the first to set a time, the Mercedes quickly took the lead, with Nico Rosberg achieving a better time than his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, leaving the Sauber 2.8 seconds behind.<\/p>\n
But the first sensation of Q1 was Max Verstappen’s performance. Indeed, the new Red Bull driver managed to secure 3rd position, half a second behind the Mercedes. Daniel Ricciardo ranked just behind his teammate, ahead of the two Ferraris.<\/p>\n
For the battle for qualification, Nico H\u00fclkenberg had to save himself during his last lap as he was only in 16th place before climbing to a provisional 8th position. Similarly, Jenson Button was under threat for a long time but managed to save himself on his last attempt, just like Romain Grosjean.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, a big surprise with Felipe Massa who abandoned his last lap and is thus eliminated in Q1, with only the 18th quickest time of the session as he got caught out by track traffic while attempting to qualify on a single run. <\/p>\n
\nMASSA: “It was a timing issue – traffic on the track and then I didn’t have enough time to get back out” #SpanishGP<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iIwMTGnaBI<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) 14 mai 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He thus finishes the Renault of Jolyon Palmer, first on the list of eliminated. The other four eliminated are the two Saubers and the two Manors. This time, the drivers of the Swiss team managed to get ahead of the two Manor drivers.<\/p>\n
**Eliminated from Q1**: Palmer, Massa, Ericsson, Nasr, Wehrlein, Haryanto<\/p>\n
For Q2, for once, it was the Mercedes that set the first time. This time, it was Lewis Hamilton who made a strong impact, with a time six-tenths faster than Nico Rosberg. The Briton took the opportunity to put pressure on his teammate before the decisive Q3 session.<\/p>\n
On his first attempt, Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen found himself stuck in traffic and therefore preferred to shorten his stint by diving into the pit lane before the end of his first fast lap. Fewer problems for Sebastian Vettel, who ranks 4th. Indeed, the German is dominated by Max Verstappen, who is definitely in form as the gap with Daniel Ricciardo reaches five-tenths!<\/p>\n
One minute before the end, Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen finally set his first time in Q2 and ranked 4th, just ahead of his teammate. Jenson Button managed to improve again in his last lap, moving up to 10th place. But he didn’t stay in that spot for long as Nico H\u00fclkenberg quickly displaced him. However, the German driver was also eliminated by his own teammate, Sergio Perez.<\/p>\n
Bad news for Daniil Kvyat, who has to settle for 13th place, while Carlos Sainz finishes in 9th position and can therefore advance to Q3. Among the eliminated are both Haas drivers as well as Kevin Magnussen. However, Fernando Alonso will have the opportunity to compete in Q3 in front of his home crowd. <\/p>\n
\nP10 for Fernando as #McLarenHonda<\/a> progresses to Q3. Great team effort, guys. #BelieveInMcLarenHonda<\/a> #SpanishGP<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vIiY8Z3c2q<\/a><\/p>\n