Carlos Sainz will start tomorrows British Grand Prix on pole after a wet qualifying session at Silverstone. In what is the first pole of his career, Sainz will start alongside championship leader Max Verstappen, with teammate Charles Leclerc starting third. Sergio Perez rounds out the front two rows in fourth, with Lewis Hamilton starting fifth.
Umbrellas went up 10 minutes before qualifying as a rainband reached Silverstone, providing a glimpse of a potentially mixed grid for tomorrows British Grand Prix. Conditions dramatically deteriorated and visibility was severely reduced as intense spray meant following needed to be done at a distance.
Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas had an early spin in Q1, the only casualty of the first downpour. He recovered to successfully go through to Q2.
In typical English fashion, the conditions quickly improved before the end of Q1, allowing for a dry line to form towards the end of the session. As a result, driver times continued to improve and saw familiar faces return towards the front.
Q1 saw the two Haas cars of Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher eliminated, along with the two Aston Martin’s of Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll. The Williams of Alex Albon also failed to progress.
Intermediate tyres were the order of Q2 as light rain persisted and then built to worsen conditions once again. Early lap times proved critical as the majority of the field failed to improve times later in the session.
This session saw the Alpha Tauri’s of Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda eliminated, along with Esteban Ocon of Alpine, Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo, whose woes at McLaren continue.
Nicholas Latifi managed to put his Williams through to Q3 for the first time this season.
The heavy rain once again cleared before Q3 and slightly improved track conditions.
Verstappen did a full 360 while setting a lap at the midpoint of the session, however he remained on track and carried on, similar to the spin at Hockenheim in 2019 where he held on to win. The Dutch driver went on to set the second fastest lap the very next run, despite running over the chicane at turn 16.
There was also a spin for Latifi at turn one which saw no damage to his car. He did however return to the pits and will start in 10th.
Leclerc went sideways on his final run which saw the pole showdown ultimately to be decided between Sainz and Verstappen, with the Spaniard emerging as the fastest.
It was a disappointing Q3 for George Russell who could only manage eighth in his upgraded Mercedes.
