Written by Aiden Hover, Edited by Morgan Holiday
With an insatiable start, Valtteri Bottas took the lead from Max Verstappen who was also overtaken by Carlos Sainz on the run to turn 4! With this, the Finn secured himself Pole position for tomorrow’s main race. Verstappen re-overtook Sainz’s Ferrari and will join Bottas on the front row with the Spaniard in third. Sergio Perez will line up fourth for tomorrow’s race as he failed to get past the Ferrari despite its dying tyres.
Lewis Hamilton was the true star of sprint qualifying, however, as he fought from 20th to fifth in only 24 laps, having been disqualified from Friday’s qualifying session. With some impressive moves on the likes of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, his most remarkable was on Lando Norris in which he made a dramatic lunge to secure fifth place. Unfortunately, the Brit still carries a 5-place-grid penalty for tomorrow’s main race and will be starting the race in tenth. Norris will start fifth on the grid with Charles Leclerc alongside him. Pierre Gasly made a poor start today and fell back from fourth to line-up seventh tomorrow with Esteban Ocon making it an all-French fourth row. Sebastian Vettel will start ninth ahead of the relegated Mercedes of Hamilton.
Daniel Ricciardo seemed to struggle today, only mustering 11th, as was Fernando Alonso who finished just behind. It was even worse for 13th placed Antonio Giovinazzi, who came together with his Alfa Romeo teammate following a three-wide battle with the Alpine of Alonso. Lance Stroll will be disappointed not to make up much ground following an underwhelming performance yesterday, only achieving 14th for tomorrow’s grid, just ahead of Yuki Tsunoda. The Williams pair will line up 16th and 17th, with Nicholas Latifi continuing his good form this weekend and once again beating out George Russell. Kimi Räikkönen will start 18th ahead of the two Haas cars who remained consistent in locking out the back row.
Be sure not to miss the madness of tomorrow’s Brazilian Grand Prix!
Opmerkingen