Six time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton claims his first pole of this season in a exciting wet StyrianGP qualifying session ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mclaren’s Carlos Sainz.
This will be 89th career pole for Mercedes man, Hamilton dominated the final qualifying session with a pole time 1:19.273, which is 1.216 seconds faster than his nearest rival and second place man Max Verstappen. The Brit is 1.428 seconds ahead of his teammate and Austrian GP race winner Valtteri Bottas.
After receiving so much criticism for focusing more on social issues than racing, Lewis Hamilton sent a statement with a blistering lap in a damp conditions.
Q1 – Russell made it through to Q2 for the first time in his career
After nearly 1 hour delay due to heavy rain. Finally Q1 under way with chain of cars waiting near pit-exit to post early lap times before any further rain plays spoiler. All cars are out on full wet tires.
Sebastian Vettel was the first man to put a representative time on board before time start tumbling down at top of the timesheet.
Alfa-Romeo man Antonio giovinazzi had a moment in final minutes of shootout before crashing his rear into barriers and eventually causing Red flag.
French man Romain Grosjean failed to set a lap time after his Haas stayed in the pits with a water pump issue. Racingpoint Segio Perez is another big name to drop out of Q1 after a impressive Friday Practice sessions.
Q1 drop outs
- Kimi Raikkonen
- Sergio Perez
- Nicholas Latifi
- Antonio Giovinazzi
- Romain Grosjean
Williams Geroge Russel made into Q2 for the first time in his career with a impressive lap and English man qualified in P12 for tomorrows race.
Q2- Ferrari struggles continue
Rain eased off during Q2 but track conditions are not favorable for any tires other than full wets. Both Mercedes drivers and Max Verstappen were trading faster time at the top while both Ferrari drivers struggling to sneak into Q3. It was four time Champion Vettel’s turn to make it Q3 ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc in P11.
Once again SF1000 struggled for pace even in wet conditions after bringing forward partial upgrades for this weekend. SF1000 not only lacks straight line speed but down force as well. Hopefully tomorrows dry conditions will help Leclerc and Vettel to gain some positions in race.
Q2 drop outs
- Charles Leclerc
- Geroge Russell
- Lance Stroll
- Daniil Kvyat
- Kevin Magnussen
Q3-Hamilton blistering pace not match for anyone
Q3 under away with Red Bull Max Verstappen waiting at Pit-Exit. Rain increased it’s intensity a littlebit compared to Q2. All drivers stayed out for more lapsto avoid missing better conditions on the track.Hamilton and Verstappen were trading faster lap times at top along with Bottas, but it was Renault’s Esteban Ocon, who was popping the time sheet with impressive lap times in tough damp conditions at Red Bull ring.
During final minutes of Q3,it was Spaniard Carols Sainz surprised every one with impressive lap claims P3 ahead of previous race pole sitter Valtteri Bottas. This will be consecutive second row start for impressive Mclaren team after Lando Norris qualified P4 in last weeks AustrianGP.
Norris qualified in P6 ahead of Red Bull man Albon and Gasly.But The young Brit will start from P9 for tomorrows race after 3 place grid penalty handed by stewards for overtaking during yellow flags.
Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo and his ex-teammate Sebastian Vettel rounds off the top-10.
