Hamilton leads another Mercedes 1-2 over 8 tenths ahead of the nearest constructor. Sainz took a stunning 3rd ahead of the charging Perez in 4th. However, the highest placed Ferrari powered car was Leclerc in 13th.
Q1:
The track was a scorching 46 degrees and the FIA enforced a strict rule. No car was to complete a laptime slower than a 1:46, excusing extenuating circumstances. Furthermore, the track limits at the Parabolica were stricter than ever, with times deleted if all 4 wheels ventured across the white lines. Charles Leclerc fell victim to these first, having his initial lap time deleted. Next up was Kevin Magnussen with an almost copy and paste offence. Throughout the first session alone, 5 lap times were deleted.
The fastest lap time last year was a 1:20.1 and Lewis Hamilton’s first run absolutely destroyed it with a 1:19.5.
As the cars went out for their final runs, it looked more like the first lap of the race as opposed to qualifying. George Russell attempted to overtake Kimi Raikkonen out of Parabolica but wasn’t able to squeeze past. This compromised both him and Sebastian Vettel, who was attempting to get a decent tow from the Williams. Then, Kimi Raikkonen almost cannoned into the back of Esteban Ocon on the run into turn 4 and his laptime was wrecked as a result. 3 Ferrari powered cars were eliminated in Q1, most controversial of these was Sebastian Vettel. His team-mate progressed into Q2, finishing 11th. The Williams occupied the last 2 places and George Russell was furious over the radio.
Eliminated:
- 16th Grosjean
- 17th Vettel
- 18th Giovinazzi
- 19th Russell
- 20th Latifi
Q2:
“This is going to get messy.” Those were the words of Lando Norris as every car stormed on to the grid with 3 minutes to go. Whilst attempting to give Esteban Ocon a tow, Daniel Ricciardo had an off track excursion, destroying both his and Ocon’s laptimes. The Australian managed to make it through but Ocon dropped out in Q2. During many driver’s final laps, Kevin Magnussen brought out the yellow flags and numerous drivers had to lift off. Charles Leclerc was one of these drivers, finishing 13th. This marked the first time since 1984 that Ferrari had neither car in the top 10 during a home GP Qualifying session. To add insult to injury, only 4 non Ferrari powered cars had been eliminated by this point. Alexander Albon made it through by the smallest of margins, just edging out Daniil Kvyat.
Eliminated:
- 11th Kvyat
- 12th Ocon
- 13th Leclerc
- 14th Raikkonen
- 15th Magnussen
Q2:
Lewis Hamilton took provisional pole ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, but no teams properly utilised the slipstream effect. However, with 5 minutes to go, almost all the cars headed out together after Mercedes pulled the trigger early. Bottas retook pole away from Hamilton, but the Briton claimed it back by only 0.069 of a second. Sergio Perez looked set to take 3rd as many times were not improved, but Carlos Sainz Jr stole the position with one of the final laps of the session. The rest of the top 10 was a mix of midfield cars. Daniel Ricciardo may have been looking for higher than 7th overall, especially considering the Renault powered McLaren. Alexander Albon didn’t have the greatest session and will have to perform some serious overtaking come raceday.
Final standings:
- Hamilton
- Bottas
- Sainz
- Perez
- Verstappen
- Norris
- Ricciardo
- Stroll
- Albon
- Gasly
Another Mercedes 1-2 and Lewis Hamilton’s 94th position. Valterri Bottas will be looking to use the tow to retake the lead tomorrow, but the main entertainment may be on who takes the final trophy home. Carlos Sainz has the upper hand, but the race may be a completely different affair.
Featured Image Credit: @MercedesAMGF1 Official Twitter
