2022 F1 Dutch GP qualifying – Microsector Analysis: Red Bull dominates but Ferrari is close. 2022 F1 Dutch GP qualifying - Microsector Analysis.

In today’s qualifying session for the 2022 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at the Circuit Zandvoort, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured pole position with a time of 1:10.342. Tomorrow, Charles Leclerc will start alongside him, as the Monegasque driver slower than the Dutchman by only 21 thousandths. In the second row there will be Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton. By analyzing the microsectors, however, we see that the poleman was not fastest in most number of microsectors. Let’s find out together in this microsector analysis of the qualifying session for the Dutch GP.

The 4.259 km motorsport race track located in the dunes north of Zandvoort, Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line, is divided into 23 micro-sectors: Red Bull is the fastest in nine of them, that is for almost 40% of the track. Followed by Ferrari with seven fastest micro sectors and Mercedes with six. McLaren closed the ranking with 1 fastest micro sector.

Surprisingly, the driver with the most fastest micro sectors is not poleman Max Verstappen. This time, in fact, there are three drivers with the highest number of micro-sectors, five to be exact: Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez, who will start from fifth place in tomorrow’s race. The Monegasque was the fastest in the straught out of Tarzanbocht, the characteristic elevated corner, in the area of the Hunserug, out of Scheivlak and in the zone between turns 12 and 14. The British driver of Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, is faster at Gerlachbocht, along Turn 9 and at the two Hans Hernst. Finally Sergio Perez is the fastest on the main straight and in the fast uphill section of the Slotemaker. However, the Mastersbocht, turn 8, as well as the distance of Turn 1, the Tarzanbocht and the elevated Arie Luyendijk go to the reigning world champion.

Following in the ranking is the Red Bull driver Max Verstappen with 4 conquered micro-sectors, more distant we find Carlos Sainz with 2 micro-sectors, followed by George Russell and Lando Norris with only one. The difference in the microsectors taken by the two Ferrari drivers suggests that the Spaniard has a few more difficulties than his teammate in interpreting the track, despite a difference between the two of only 71 thousandths. We will see in tomorrow’s race whether after the first corner Max Verstappen is still in the lead or if the attack by the two Ferrari drivers is successful.