Good afternoon and welcome to qualifying for the Spanish GP. This morning we witnessed FP3, with Oscar Piastri on top, followed by Norris and Leclerc. A big step forward for Mercedes, a sign that the hard work done yesterday paid off. Verstappen was further back, but we know how the Dutchman always holds something back ahead of qualifying. The ScuderiaFans.com editorial team provides you with a detailed summary of what happened during the session.
Q1: Disappointment for Carlos Sainz, good debut for the rookies
As the green light came on, the first to take to the track was Franco Colapinto, followed by Ocon, Bearman, and Stroll. All four were on soft tyres. The opening benchmark was a 1:13.699 from Lance Stroll, temporarily leading the standings. With thirteen minutes to go, the rest of the field began to take to the track, increasing the pace and significantly lowering the lap times posted so far.
With eight minutes remaining, Oscar Piastri set the pace with a 1:12.551, followed by Verstappen two tenths behind the Australian; Lando Norris was third by just thousandths. Leclerc and Hamilton’s first flying laps placed them temporarily fifth and ninth respectively. Alonso was seventh; Sainz was down in eighteenth and needed a good lap to avoid elimination. Antonelli was twelfth.
In the danger zone with the Spaniard were Hulkenberg, Ocon, Tsunoda, and Bortoleto. After a short break in the pits, all the drivers (except the top two) returned to the track to try and improve their performance or save themselves from elimination. While Colapinto suffered technical issues with his Alpine and couldn’t return to the track, Carlos Sainz was shockingly eliminated, as was Yuki Tsunoda, who will start last. Great laps from Bearman and Bortoleto, who advanced to Q2. The Q1 eliminations were: Hulkenberg, Ocon, Sainz, Colapinto, and Tsunoda.
Q2: Oscar Piastri goes again, Oliver Bearman drops out
In the second part of the session, the first to go out were Albon, Bearman, and Alonso. However, the Spaniard completed only one lap and returned to the pits without setting a time. The other two pressed on, with Albon setting the first benchmark of Q2 in 1:13.113. A few minutes later, the rest of the pack joined the action.
With eight minutes remaining, the provisional order again had Piastri on top, followed by Norris just 58 thousandths behind. Verstappen was third. Hamilton was fifth and Leclerc sixth; Antonelli ninth. After their first runs, all drivers returned to the pits for a few minutes. With three minutes to go, everyone except the top five returned to the track, trying to make it through without a second lap.
Among the at-risk drivers was Antonelli in ninth, but the Italian managed to advance despite some struggles, as did Alonso, spurred on by his home crowd. The Q2 eliminations were: Albon, Bortoleto, Lawson, Stroll, and Bearman. Strong performances from Hadjar and Gasly saw them through to Q3.
Q3: The return of Iceman 2.0
While waiting for the final part of the session, we highlight a team radio from Russell during Q2, where he expressed concerns about possible rain. Indeed, within minutes, the sky over the Montmeló circuit darkened with grey clouds, despite the forecast not predicting any risk of rain.
Oscar Piastri was the first to go out, followed quickly by the rest. On the first flying lap, provisional pole went to Lando Norris, who snatched the top spot by just seventeen thousandths from Piastri; Russell and Leclerc followed. Verstappen failed to complete a strong lap and was fifth. Hamilton was sixth.
After the usual break, the drivers returned to the track to give it their all in the final minutes. Alonso was the first to set a time, placing him temporarily fifth. Charles Leclerc’s decision not to go out for a final lap was surprising. But it was Oscar Piastri who took pole position, his first since Imola. A fantastic lap from the Australian put him two tenths ahead of Norris. Verstappen was third; Lewis Hamilton fifth. Charles Leclerc ended up seventh, and his decision to stay in the pits remains puzzling. Below is the full classification. See you tomorrow for the Spanish GP race summary with the hope that the Ferrari drivers will be able to recover a few positions and maybe even challenge for a place on the podium at the Circuit de Catalunya.
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