What an interesting Qualifying session today in Japan as the drivers prepare to thrash it out on track ahead of Sunday’s race in Suzuka for the top spot on the podium.
Lando Norris took third, with Carlos Sainz putting himself into P4 off the back of his victory last time out in Australia. Fernando Alonso was the lead Aston Martin in fifth, ahead of birthday boy Oscar Piastri in sixth.
There was a surprise in Q1 as Lance Stroll was pushed into the elimination zone, meaning that the second Aston Martin will line up in P16. Pierre Gasly also exited the session, with the Frenchman yet to progress to Q2 so far this season.
Kevin Magnussen was unable to get his Haas out of the first segment of qualifying and will start from P18, while the Williams of Logan Sargeant and Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu ended the day back in P19 and P20 respectively.
There was a surprise in Q1 as Lance Stroll was pushed into the elimination zone, meaning that the second Aston Martin will line up in P16. Pierre Gasly also exited the session, with the Frenchman yet to progress to Q2 so far this season.
RB’s Riccardo was relegated to the drop zone after a disappointing result at the end of Qualifying 2 as he was pushed out by his team mate Yuki Tsunoda, with Daniel starting from P11 for Sunday’s race while the Hulk joins Riccardo in P12 for Sunday. If things for Riccardo don’t improve soon enough he could end up giving his seat to Lawson within the next few races.
Published in F1
