Q1 Report:
Q1 started quite calmly, while Piastri set an early fastest lap, as the championship leader seems to have regained his momentum. However, with about five minutes left, the engine cover of Alex Albon’s Williams flew off, causing a lot of debris to scatter. Red flags were waved so the marshals could clear off the track. Luckily, Williams were able to get Albon back out, where the driver managed to escape to Q2, while his teammate wasn’t as fortunate after getting impeded by Hadjar. Norris was quickest by the end of Q1, ahead of Norris and Hamilton.
The five drivers that were eliminated were Gabriel Bortoleto, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, after returning from a wrist pain, Liam Lawson, and Pierre Gasly, while his teammate Franco Colapinto made it through to Q2.
Q2 Report:
Q2 was less eventful, and when it ended George Russell was back on top with the quickest lap, and Norris was behind in second. The only Williams in Q2, Alex Albon, also managed to continue on to Q3, as will Hadjar and Alonso. Leclerc went third fastest, followed by Verstappen. Oscar Piastri could only go fifth quickest, so we’ll see what he can pull off in Q3.
The drivers eliminated are Yuki Tsunoda, who will serve a ten place grid penalty due to a red flag infringement during practice, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Ollie Bearman, and Esteban Ocon.
Q3 Report:
It looked to be a fight between the McLarens and Max Verstappen coming into Q3, however Lando Norris couldn’t find his rhythm in the final qualifying session and only ended up seventh on the grid. During the last seconds of the session it seemed the Verstappen had pole position in the bag ahead of Oscar Piastri. But George Russell completed a flying lap to get into the 1 minute 10 second range and steal first place grid position from Verstappen. In fourth is Kimi Antonelli, with Hamilton behind and Fernando Alonso in sixth. Lando Norris, who had a disappointing Q3 after being strong all weekend, will only start seventh, which is bad news for his championship bid. Charles Leclerc ended up eighth after making a mistake, and Hadjar and Albon were in ninth and tenth, respectively.
