For the first time since Brazil 2019, a non-Mercedes powered car was on pole, courtesy of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
For the final time in 2020, Formula 1 went qualifying. Max Verstappen looked strong in FP3 but Mercedes could be holding something back. The session went green and the benchmark was set by Magnussen with a 1.38.086. The heavy hitters did their times, but Hamilton had his deleted, necessitating a second lap. In the dying minutes is was Magnussen, Fittipaldi, Russell, Latifi, and Giovanazzi in the drop zone, but they were going out for their last runs. In the end, it was Raikkonen joining Magnussen, Russell, Fittipaldi, and Latifi out of Q1.
On to Q2 then, and the initial times put Hamilton on top from Bottas and Norris. When the last runs began, it was Ocon and Giovanazzi out. Albon, Ricciardo, and Perez hadn’t set a time. In the end, it was Ocon, Ricciardo, Vettel, Giovanazzi, and Perez out of Q2.
Now it was Q3 and the top 10 shootout for pole. The first runs put Bottas on top from Verstappen and Hamilton. Albon was fourth but only a tenth and a half behind Bottas. Then came the final runs, who would prevail? For the first time since Brazil 2019, it was Verstappen. The first time in over a year a non-Mercedes powered car topped the timesheets. Bottas was second, from Hamilton and Norris. Albon, Sainz, Kvyat, Stroll, Leclerc, and Gasly rounded out the top 10.
That was it then, for the last qualifying of 2020. Tomorrow, the 2020 Formula 1 season comes to a close around the twilight arena of Abu Dhabi.
