Dutch Red Bull driver Max Verstappen starts from pole position in the sprint race on the grid at the Austrian Grand Prix, round 11 of the Formula 1 World Championship, after setting the fastest time during qualifying practice on Friday.
Title holder and driver’s standings leader Mad Max set a time of 1:04.984 minutes ahead of Monaco’s Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Spain’s Carlos Sainz, who took his first win in the first category at the last round at Silverstone.
This is the third time the Dutch driver has started from pole this season, with his Mexican teammate Sergio “Checo” Pérez finishing fourth.
Mercedes disappointed after the cars of Lewis Hamilton and compatriot George Russell went off the track in the third period.
Hamilton has been going through a difficult period since the start of the year in terms of results amid a decline in the Silver Arrows’ rebounding car, but Al Syr finished third at home last Sunday, showing that he hasn’t lost his morale.
Hamilton is sixth in the standings with 93 points, trailing teammate Russell and 88 points behind Verstappen.
“It was a long wait between stops and it’s not good. When you’re in style, it’s better to keep it,” Verstappen said, referring to the red flags raised by the two Mercedes crashes.
“But of course I’m very happy with the fastest time, but I also know that tomorrow and (in the race) on Sunday you can score points.”
“I’ve had three races that have been a disaster for me and I hope it will be better tomorrow,” said Leclerc, who finished fourth at Silverstone and is in a difficult period after his last win of the year. Australian Grand Prix in April.
The Austrian Grand Prix, held at the Red Bull Ring, is the second stop of three sprint races (100 km) to be held on Saturday this year in April.
And here is the timing of the third qualifying round:
1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands/Red Bull) 1:04.984 d.
2. Charles Leclerc (Monaco/Ferrari) 1:05.013 d.
3. Carlos Saiens (Spain/Ferrari) 1:05.066 d.
4. Sergio Perez (Mexico/Red Bull) 1:05.404 d.
5. George Russell (UK/Mercedes) 1:05.431 d.
6. Esteban Ocon (France/Alpine region) 1:05.726 d.
7. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark/Haas) 1:05.879 d.
8. Mick Schumacher (Germany/Haas) 1:06.011 d.
9. Fernando Alonso (Spain/Alpine Region) 1:06.103 d.
10. Lewis Hamilton (UK/Mercedes) 1:13.151 d.
