The British Grand Prix will be broadcast live on 5 Live and Sport Newes Center website.
During an intense and unexpected qualifying round at the British Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen snatched pole position from Lando Norris of McLaren.
Verstappen left the British audience on the edge of their seats, as he claimed pole after Norris initially held the fastest time with only three drivers left to make their final attempts.
Verstappen clinched the pole by a mere 0.241 seconds.
Norris and his team-mate Oscar Piastri made it a McLaren two-three, marking the team’s most successful qualifying in recent years.
The upgraded McLarens, with Norris demonstrating its potential in Austria last week, outranked the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who took fourth and fifth places, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in sixth and seventh.
Williams driver Alex Albon took the eighth spot, preceding Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, with Pierre Gasly’s Alpine rounding out the top 10.
The qualifying round started wet and dried up as it progressed. Timing and performing optimally when it mattered most proved to be critical.
Verstappen’s team-mate, Sergio Perez, had a disappointing session, getting eliminated early on.
Perez will start in 16th place, missing the top 10 for the fifth consecutive race, reflecting his challenging season.
Fans descended on Silverstone in droves from Friday to Sunday.
Despite the challenging conditions, Verstappen kept his composure. Though he didn’t lead the first session, which was paused and restarted due to light rain and where Norris was fastest, Verstappen remained a consistent performer.
He faced a minor hiccup when his front wing clipped the wall opposite the garage as he exited the pits, a mishap he was able to joke about later.
Verstappen held the fastest times in the second session and the first round of the final top-10 showdown, being the only driver with new tyres.
Leclerc and Sainz came close to Verstappen’s time on their final laps, but it was Norris who temporarily outpaced him, much to the crowd’s delight, only for Verstappen to reclaim the lead.
Reflecting on the event, Norris said, “Pretty insane. My last lap was a good one. Hearing Zak [Brown, chief executive] on the radio on the in-lap was the best thing ever. It’s always Max. He always ruins everything for everyone.”
Piastri’s third place was a high point in his budding F1 career. After his impressive performance in junior racing, McLaren decided to give the Australian a shot in his first F1 season.
“What a qualifying session,” Piastri said. “Almost out in Q1 but the car was a rocket ship in Q2 and Q3. I managed a solid lap. Huge result for the team, having both of us up there is fantastic.”
This weekend, Piastri tried the upgrade that Norris debuted in Austria, while Norris continued with it and also sported a new front wing.
McLaren had high hopes that the upgrade would give their season a boost. Earlier in the year, they admitted they had not met their development targets and needed a change in design philosophy.
Their performance in Austria, where Norris finished fourth, had been encouraging, but they tempered expectations post-race, knowing it to be a favourable track for them. However, the success at Silverstone appears to validate that they’ve made considerable progress.
Ferrari had given Verstappen a run for his money in Austria but anticipated a tougher challenge this weekend due to their car’s struggle in fast corners.
Leclerc finished 0.416secs slower than Verstappen, narrowly ahead of Sainz by just 0.012secs. Russell followed closely, 0.007secs behind, with Hamilton trailing by another 0.056secs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about British Grand Prix Qualifying
What happened in the British Grand Prix qualifying session?
In the British Grand Prix qualifying session, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing claimed pole position, edging out Lando Norris of McLaren. McLaren showcased significant improvement with their upgraded car.
How close was the competition between Verstappen and Norris?
Verstappen secured pole position by a narrow margin of 0.241 seconds, surpassing Norris’ fastest time. It was a gripping battle between the two drivers.
How did McLaren perform in the qualifying session?
McLaren had an impressive qualifying session, with Lando Norris taking second place and his teammate Oscar Piastri securing third place. This marked McLaren’s best qualifying performance in years.
What upgrades did McLaren introduce for the British Grand Prix?
McLaren introduced upgrades to their car, which had proven successful when Norris used them in the previous race in Austria. The upgrades contributed to their improved performance in the qualifying session.
Which other teams and drivers performed well in the qualifying session?
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz secured fourth and fifth places, respectively. Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton took sixth and seventh places. Williams’ Alex Albon finished in eighth position.
How did Verstappen overcome challenges during the qualifying session?
Despite facing some difficulties, such as breaking his front wing while leaving the pits, Verstappen remained composed. He delivered impressive performances, leading the second session and setting the fastest time on new tires in the final top-10 shootout.
What were the expectations for Ferrari in the qualifying session?
Ferrari had a competitive showing in Austria, challenging Verstappen for pole position. However, they expected a tougher challenge at the British Grand Prix due to their car’s weakness in fast corners.
How did the weather conditions affect the qualifying session?
The qualifying session started wet and gradually dried up. Drivers had to time their runs effectively and deliver their best laps when the track conditions were most favorable.
