There are many words I could use to describe how I am feeling after today’s session, happy is not one of them. Neither Mercedes reached Q3 as a result of one of the five red flags. But there is more to Formula One than one team…
Aston Martin – Aston Martin have finally had a performance that is worthy of their iconic name with Vettel taking a surprise P9. Stroll also was more successful than his previous performances with his P15.
Alpine – Not the greatest of days for Alpine with Ocon taking P19 after suffering from gearbox trouble. Alonso did something to appease the team with a Q3 appearance and P5.
AlphaTauri – Despite it being their home race, it was once again an uneven week for AlphaTauri with neither driver making it beyond Q1. Tsunoda in P16 is ahead of Gasly in P17 which may be a silver lining.
Williams – Williams’ woes continue with neither driver leaving Q1. Albon had a fiery performance with his burning brakes that ended his running. Latifi added to a run of poor form with P18.
McLaren – McLaren seem to have found some pace in the MCL36 with a P3 for Norris and P6 for Ricciardo. It almost ended in disaster with Norris being incredibly close to the wall and damaging his car.
Ferrari – At their home race, at least one car in the Scuderia did not disappoint, Leclerc drove well to take P2 but it was once again not good for Sainz. He was another driver who got himself too close to the wall but he ended up P10 which was worse than last time out.
Alfa Romeo – A decent day for Alfa with Bottas continuing to be a regular in Q3 taking P8. However, the smile was wiped off his face when he ended up stuck in the grass and had a ride in a lorry. Zhou wasn’t quite as successful (but got round) in P14.
Haas – Magnussen yielded Haas’ best ever qualifying result with a shock P4 in tough conditions despite bringing out the red flag. Schumacher still hasn’t made it into Q3 but came close and split the Mercedes in P12.
Mercedes – A Friday they will want to forget with the first time a Mercedes was not in Q3 since Japan 2012. The red flag caused by Sainz ruined their chance at Q3, if he’d have got round who knows what could’ve happened.
Red Bull – A momentous day for Red Bull with their 75th pole courtesy of Verstappen’s first of the year. Perez also put in a fair performance with a P7.
Did you enjoy qualifying?
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Published in F1
