Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) will start in first position in the sprint race of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix on Saturday after setting the best qualifying time on Friday at the Red Bull Ring.
The reigning triple world champion was able to hold his own during a very tactical Q3 where the drivers went out at the last moment to only achieve one fast lap.
Verstappen beat the two McLarens of Briton Lando Norris and Australian Oscar Piastri by 93 and 301 thousandths of a second respectively.
Briton George Russell (Mercedes) set the fourth fastest time, ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), his teammate and compatriot Lewis Hamilton and Mexican Sergio Perez (Red Bull).
Monaco’s Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), victim of an anti-stall problem when leaving the pits, was trapped and was unable to set a time, which meant he started in only 10th position.
The two Alpines have again managed to slip into Q3, as they did in qualifying in Barcelona last weekend, confirming their recent progress. Frenchmen Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly will start in 8th and 9th position on Saturday lunchtime.
Quebecer Lance Stroll did not have much success in Austria. He will have to settle for 12th place on the starting grid for the sprint race.
