Oscar Piastri is the first rookie pole position setter since Nico Hülkenberg in Brazil in 2010. The McLaren driver had his time deleted yesterday due to exceeding track limits, just like his teammate, loosing p2 for Lando Norris and p3 for Oscar Piastri. This they apparently took personally as Piastri is starting on pole position right before his teammate, who starts in p2 later today. Max Verstappen, who could get his third world champion title today if he finishes in the top 6 in the sprint, starts in p3, after falling victim to track limits, having his first lap time deleted. George Russell starts in p4 followed by both Ferrari drivers, Sainz in 5 and Leclerc in 6. German Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg starts in p7, after him Perez (8), Alonso (9) and Ocon (10), who too all fell victim to the track limits.
Out in Q2 was Lewis Hamilton, starting now in p12, shocking a lot of people, as the renowned world champion did not only win the Grand Prix in Qatar in 2021, but is also starting in p3 tomorrow at the race.
Beside of him Gasly (11), Bottas (13), Lawson (14) and Zhou (15) did not make the cut to Q3.
The last 5 drivers, starting in the back today, are Stroll (16), Albon (17), Tsunoda (18), Magnussen (19) and Sargeant (20), who originally was in p17 before his lap time was deleted as well.
The sprint starts in 2 hours and 30 minutes at 7:30pm CEST. We can be sure of an exciting sprint today and an exciting race tomorrow, with the slightly changed track limits in corner 13 to ease the impact on the tyres.
Will we see a third title for Verstappen and another McLaren podium today?
(Photo credits f1 official Instagram)
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