Max Verstappen will start from pole position for the third time this season, driving his Red Bull at the Styrian Grand Prix. The Dutchman edged out Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, but the Finn was squeezed three penalty places on the grid.
Formula 1 stops in Austria for two Grands Prix at the start of this summer, and the Red Bull team fully intends to shine at home and to remain at the top of the driver’s and constructor’s rankings when they are finished. And the doubling has started rather well, as Max Verstappen will start from pole in the Styrian Grand Prix this Sunday. The championship leader clocked a time of 1’03 ”841 in Q3 and took pole position for the third time this season and the sixth time in his career..
Three poles in the same season is a big first for the 23-year-old driver, who has never seemed so strong. Max Verstappen was 194 thousandths ahead of Valtteri Bottas, but the Finn will not start second but fifth, after suffering a penalty of three places following his head-to-head in the pits during free practice 2. That’s so Lewis Hamilton who will start alongside Verstappen, after having achieved the third time. The world champion failed 226 thousandths behind his rival, after missing his last timed lap. This promises a thrilling first round!
Ocon disappoints
Behind, Lando Norris will start third in his McLaren, after an excellent qualifying session, while his teammate Daniel Ricciardo was eliminated in Q2 and will start thirteenth. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) will start fourth, ahead of Bottas therefore, and ahead of Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), once again very good even if he admitted that he could not have caught up with the two tenths that would have placed him in second place.
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), Fernando Alonso (Alpine) and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) complete the Top 10. Disappointment on the other hand for Esteban Ocon (Alpine), who did not manage to pass in Q2 and will start in 17th position due to a big lack of speed. ” It’s not acceptable. We have to find the problem, especially since Fernando has moved to Q1, ”reacted the French driver on Canal+. He will have to whip to finish in the points. Rendezvous Sunday from 3:00 p.m. on the Red Bull Ring, where it would not be impossible for the rain to invite itself.
