F1 News: Norris wins exciting pole battle for Spanish GP

McLaren driver Lando Norris dug deep and turned a lap of 1m11.383s to nip Max Verstappen in qualifying for the 2024 Spanish GP at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Red Bull ace Verstappen went 2/10ths faster on his last lap but came up short by just 0.020s to Norris in another exciting 2024 F1 qualifying session.

“It was pretty much a perfect lap I think,” said Norris. “Close still, but super, super happy. I would say that was my best pole position. My supporters here are amazing, so a big thanks to everyone sheering me on.

“We’ve been quick the last two months, since Miami we’ve been very strong. Super happy to be on pole. I know it will be tough against Max, against Lewis, but we are here to win now.”

“In qualifying it was all coming together a bit nicer, in the practice sessions it was a bit difficult,” said Verstappen.

“In Q3 I got a nice tow from Checo to extract everything, but it wasn’t enough. It is definitely all to play for tomorrow.”

Lewis Hamilton was third for Mercedes, just nipping his teammate George Russell for the 2nd time in 2024. Hamilton was 0.318s behind Norris, and Russell 0.320s behind Norris.

“I’m really happy,” said Hamilton.

“It’s been quite a difficult year but everyone back at the factory has worked so hard, finally we are starting to see those steps moving closer to those guys ahead. Slowly, the car is crafting into a racing machine that we can use to fight the cars ahead.”

The two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. (fastest in FP3) were 5th and 6th, 0.348s and 0.353s behind Norris respectively.

Pierre Gasly drove to seventh best for Alpine.

Sergio Perez qualified eighth but will start P11 thanks to his grid penalty, promoting the Alpine of Esteban Ocon and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who had a scruffy Q3 and failed to log a time.

Bringing up the back row will be the Williams of Alex Albon and American Logan Sargeant. Logan is faced with getting rejected out of F1 after the season and down to a series like IndyCar. His gap back from his teammate is just too big.

2024 Spanish GP Qualifying Results