The qualifying session for the 2024 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix has just concluded under the partly cloudy skies of the Red Bull Ring. The asphalt temperature is 47°C, ambient temperature is 32°C, and humidity is 38%. It is even hotter than this morning when the Sprint Race took place. In the end, Max Verstappen claimed a sensational pole position with a time of 1’04”314, edging out Lando Norris of McLaren. Following are Russell’s Mercedes and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. Here is the summary:
Q1
All drivers, except for the Racing Bulls, went out on used tires to set their first times, and it was immediately clear how close the field was. Carlos Sainz topped Q1 with a time of 1’05”263, while Sergio Perez took a risk, finishing in P12. Aston Martin continued to struggle, with Fernando Alonso barely saving himself by just 80 milliseconds. Unexpectedly eliminated were Albon and Stroll, followed by Bottas, Sargeant, and Zhou. Notably, Max Verstappen finished in third position without using new tire sets.
Q2
Sergio Perez continued to face difficulties in Q2, finishing in eighth position, while his teammate Max Verstappen flew around the home circuit. The Dutchman finished first with a time of 1’04″469, followed by Sainz and Russell. Alpine maintained its good form, with Ocon making it to Q3 for the third consecutive time. Eliminated were Ricciardo, Magnussen, Gasly, Tsunoda, and Alonso. McLaren remained hidden, with Piastri and Norris finishing in fifth and sixth positions. Nico Hulkenberg did an excellent job making the cut with Haas.
Q3
The two McLarens emerged, but it was not enough to challenge a superb Max Verstappen, who secured pole position with a time of 1’04”314. Lando Norris impressively took second place with a time of 1’04”718. Charles Leclerc had a disastrous second attempt, misjudging and going wide. Track limits for Oscar Piastri resulted in his time being deleted, and he will start seventh ahead of Perez. Charles Leclerc gained a position. George Russell secured the third-fastest time, followed by Carlos Sainz. Ferrari and Mercedes were objectively slow, but the Scuderia’s post-sprint modifications seemed to have somewhat boosted their competitiveness. Carlos Sainz finished in fourth place, improving by one spot over his sprint qualifying position.
Charles Leclerc was Ferrari’s best hope in Q3, showing competitive times close to the McLaren drivers despite using old tires in Q2 and at the start of Q3. However, on his only run with new tires, The Monegasque driver clipped the gravel at Turn 6, losing time and then dramatically going off at the final two corners.
Charles Leclerc’s ability to drive through the runoff prevented yellow flags, allowing the Mercedes drivers to complete their laps without interruption. As a result, Lewis Hamilton finished fifth, and George Russell made a significant leap up the order. Charles Leclerc ended up in sixth, aided by Oscar Piastri’s drop to seventh. Sergio Perez, with no new soft tires available for Q3 in the other Red Bull, finished in eighth place.
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