By: Formula 1 engines are roaring again: after FP1, it was time for Sprint Qualifying. Here is what happened.
SQ1: Leclerc roars, scare for Kimi
Kimi Antonelli was the first driver out on track, followed by George Russell, with both on medium tyres. The Italian ran wide into the gravel at Turn 13 and was forced to abandon his lap and return to the pits for a floor check; Russell, meanwhile, opened with a 1'13''829.
Shortly afterwards, it was the Ferrari pair's turn, with Lewis Hamilton going quickest by as much as six tenths over Russell; Leclerc was second, level to the thousandth with the #44. The track improved lap by lap, as did the times set by the drivers: the McLaren pair moved to the top, with Norris ahead of Piastri. Verstappen was seventh and Lawson tenth.
Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli's #12 had sustained no damage, and the Italian returned to the track to set the seventh-fastest time. At the chequered flag, Charles Leclerc led the way, 60 thousandths ahead of Norris; Piastri was third, followed by Hamilton. Those eliminated in SQ1 were: Bearman, Sainz, Stroll, Bottas, Alonso and Perez.
SQ2: McLaren comes alive, Lindblad delivers again
The drivers quickly returned to the track, with Esteban Ocon setting the first flying lap of the second part of the session. The Frenchman opened with a 1'13''893. The Haas driver's benchmark was swiftly beaten, with Oscar Piastri leading the field on a 1'12''026, ahead of Leclerc and Russell. Hamilton was fourth, Antonelli fifth and Verstappen seventh.
After a brief stop, the action resumed for the final runs. The chequered flag saw a McLaren one-two, with Norris chasing Piastri. Leclerc was third. Tsunoda missed out on SQ3 by just 11 thousandths. Lindblad performed well, eliminating Lawson in 11th. Those eliminated in SQ2 were: Lawson, Tsunoda, Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Albon.
SQ3: Russell beats them all
The drivers returned to the track for the final moments that would determine tomorrow's Sprint starting grid. Lando Norris was the first out, followed by the rest of the field. At the chequered flag, George Russell claimed pole position, edging Norris and Leclerc by thousandths of a second. Piastri was fourth. Antonelli was fifth, followed by Verstappen and Hamilton: the full classification is below.
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