Max Verstappen took pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix after setting the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday at the Red Bull Ring.
Triple reigning world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) took pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday during qualifying at the Red Bull Ring, comfortably ahead of Britons Lando Norris (McLaren) and George Russell (Mercedes).
A few hours after winning the sprint race, «Mad Max» took his eighth pole position in 11 races this season, the 40th of his career, and ended his poor run of three consecutive Grands Prix where he did not start in the lead.
“It’s been a long time since we were on pole, the team did a great job and I hope we can show it again tomorrow (Sunday) in the race”the Dutchman stressed. Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) will start in fourth position, ahead of seven-time British world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), who had a big scare when he avoided an accident after going into the gravel.
Ocon 10e, Gasly 13e
Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren), who set the third fastest time, will have to settle for seventh place on the grid after his best time was invalidated for going beyond the limits of the track. The Top 10 is completed by the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull), the German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) and the Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine). The Alpine team failed to repeat the performance achieved last weekend in Barcelona and Friday during qualifying for the Austrian sprint, when it placed its two cars in Q3, since Pierre Gasly will only start in 13th position.
Aston Martin disappointed again with 15th and 17th places for Spaniard Fernando Alonso and Canadian Lance Stroll. Australian Daniel Ricciardo (Racing Bulls), who could lose his drive after poor performances recently, set the 11th fastest time, ahead of his Japanese team-mate Yuki Tsunoda (14th), a result that should give him some respite.
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For once, the teams were very close to each other during the first part of qualifying (Q1) since the 20 cars were separated by only eight tenths of a second, a first in the history of Formula 1. However, this record must be put into perspective a little because the Red Bull Ring is the circuit where the lap time is the shortest of the season.
