Austrian GP 2024
JUNE 29, 2024
Qualifying Report - Verstappen secures pole
© Red Bull'
Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass in qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, securing pole position with a stunning lap time of 1'04.314. The Red Bull driver, in his RB20, outpaced his competitors by a significant margin, setting the stage for a thrilling 11th round of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship.
The initial qualifying session (Q1) saw Ferrari's Carlos Sainz setting the benchmark with a time of 1'05.263. McLaren's Oscar Piastri closely followed with a 1'05.311, while Verstappen clocked in at 1'05.336, securing third place. Other notable performances included Lando Norris, who posted a 1'05.450, and Kevin Magnussen with a 1'05.508. However, Alexander Albon (Williams), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Valtteri Bottas (Sauber), Logan Sargeant (Williams), and Zhou Guanyu (Sauber) failed to make it past Q1 and were eliminated.
In Q2, Verstappen showcased his prowess, setting a time of 1'04.469. His lap was significantly faster than the rest, with Carlos Sainz and George Russell both recording 1'05.016, over half a second behind. Other top contenders included Lewis Hamilton, who posted a 1'05.053, and Oscar Piastri with a 1'05.070. Knocked out at this stage were Daniel Ricciardo with a 1'05.289, Kevin Magnussen at 1'05.347, Pierre Gasly with a 1'05.359, Yuki Tsunoda at 1'05.412, and Fernando Alonso at 1'05.639.
Q3 experienced a brief delay as marshals cleared debris from Turn 6. Once the session resumed, Verstappen immediately set a provisional pole time of 1'04.426. Lando Norris responded with a 1'04.718, but Verstappen remained unchallenged. On his final run, Verstappen improved his lap to 1'04.314, securing his fourth consecutive pole position at the Austrian GP.
Lando Norris retained his second spot with a time of 1'04.718, while George Russell was third with a 1'04.840. Carlos Sainz will start fourth after posting a 1'04.851, followed by Lewis Hamilton at 1'04.903. Charles Leclerc faced issues, going off at Turn 9 and managing only a 1'05.044, placing him sixth. Oscar Piastri, despite a strong performance, had his fastest lap deleted for track limits and will start seventh with a time of 1'05.048.
Sergio Pérez secured eighth place with a 1'05.202, followed by Nico Hülkenberg in ninth with a 1'05.385. Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten with a 1'05.883.
The stage is set for an exhilarating race with Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes all showcasing strong performances. Fans can look forward to a fierce battle at the front, with Verstappen aiming to convert his pole into a race victory and extend his lead in the championship standings.