F1: Verstappen wins Spanish GP pole with sensational lap

–by Mark Cipolloni–

In what was a sensational battle for pole position between 5 drivers,  when it all counted in Q3 World Champion Max Verstappen set a time of 1m12.272s to cement pole for the Spanish GP Formula 1 race in Barcelona by a comfortable 0.462s over the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz Jr.

Verstappen’s march to pole position was sealed on his first run in Q3. With new softs onboard Verstappen showed blistering pace to take provisional pole with a lap of 1:12.272 – more than nine tenths of a second clear of second-placed Hamilton.

And the Dutchman might have gone even quicker on his final run. Up on his opening time midway through his final flyer, but with Sainz only getting to 0.462 behind the Verstappen, GP told the champion to abort the lap and in the end Verstappen eased to his 24^th career pole position.

“The car was really good, qualifying started off a bit tricky with the weather but by Q3 the car was on rails,” said a happy Verstappen.

“Very enjoyable to drive today. I love the track, I love the fans, I have some great memories here.”

Verstappen, who won his very first F1 race in his very first F1 start here at 18 years old in 2016, had never started on pole here before today.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr. thrilled the Spanish fans with a front-row start.

“I needed it! Even getting through Q1, Q2, putting in a good lap with only one set of tires in Q3 – it was one of the most tricky qualifying sessions I can remember,” said Sainz.

“I felt like I was driving very well, I was pushing everything and I didn’t leave anything on the table today.

Lando Norris was third for McLaren, 0.520s back, while Pierre Gasly was 4th for Alpine, 0.544s behind, albeit with stewards’ investigations yet to come after he got in the way of rival cars.

“I’m surprised to be here but an amazing job, P3, almost P2,” said a happy Norris!

“A home race for Carlos [Sainz] so I thought I’d give him a tenth. I’m very happy, difficult qualifying, but always i these tricky ones we seem to do well.”

Charles Leclerc exited the session in Q1, qualifying in 19^th position as his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. has gotten into his head and is beating him more often this year.

Lewis Hamilton, who was 2nd fastest in Q2 and after the first Q3 run, could only do a 5th best time when it counted, 0.546s back.

As Verstappen eased through to Q3 in P1 there was further drama elsewhere. Mercedes’ George Russell, eliminated in P12 behind Pérez, moved across the track to avoid a slower Mercedes, but the British driver was unaware that Hamilton was behind and closing fast. Hamilton was forced to the track edge and shipped front wing damage as he clipped his team-mate’s car. Ruled out behind Russell, who faced investigation after the session, were Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu and the AlphaTauri’s of Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda.

Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez and Hamilton’s teammate George Russell were both eliminated in Q2. Russell after a bizarre incident with teammate Lewis Hamilton.

“Verstappen has hit a patch of form – Monaco he was unbelievable and he’s carried that into here. There’s the weather, reliability, strategy, the start… This weekend does play to the strengths of the car and Verstappen is making good use of that,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

“Perez just had a difficult qualifying, he was lucky to get through Q1 into Q2, and then the off he had in Q2 just unsettled him a little. Just one of those days. P11 tomorrow leaves him quite a bit to do.”

Perez sounding like a defeated man on the radio as he dropped out in Q2 and Max Verstappen, who he is battling for the title, is on pole.

Lance Stroll out-qualified his Aston Martin teammate in Alonso’s home race! The Canadian was in need of a morale-boosting performance, and he’s certainly delivered one.

Qualifying Results