Key events
0.012 in it
Here’s how close it was, as Martin Brundle’s Norris v Hamilton prediction came true.
1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:17.207
2 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.012
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.238
4 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.272
5 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.477
6 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.518
7 George Russell Mercedes +0.518
8 Isack Hadjar Red Bull +0.649
9 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls +1.074
10 Nico Hülkenberg Audi +1.479
Norris again. “I’m in the best position … but I’m expecting a tough race … I’ll be interested to see what tyres these guys start on.” Hamilton and Leclerc were on mediums in Q1.
Leclerc also couldn’t improve. “There was quite a bit of a wind change … Qualifying has been messy. The pace was never the same as Lewis.”
Hamilton disappointed. “First, congratulations to Lando. For some reason the grip wasn’t there on the last lap for Charles and I.” He thinks going out first was a mistake.
David Coulthard doing the interviews. Norris: “I had confidence today … The car has been feeling good. Very pleased for the team.”
Norris turns the air blue in celebration. Mercedes did not look like taking pole anyway but the yellows for Verstappen’s spin ended their hopes of improvement, while the Dutchman got back going which gave Norris the chance and he took it.
Norris takes pole ahead of Hamilton
Norris snatches pole! by 12 thousandths! 1:17.207 ahead of Hamilton, Leclerc, Antonelli, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Hadjar, Lindblad and Hulkenberg.
Norris on a flyer. The McLarens can do it.
Vertstappen spins! Yellows!
Hamilton cannot improve.
Antonelli threatening …
It looks as if Hamilton will set a target.
Last chances. Mercedes’s run looks like it’s over, Ted Kravitz says, with the lack of grip Antonelli cited being critical.
David Croft says Hamilton would be the oldest pole sitter in F1 since Mario Andretti in 1982.
Russell in seventh, half a sec behind Hamilton and almost two tenths down on Antonelli.
This could be Hamilton’s 10th pole here.
Hamilton fastest in 1:17.219! Antonelli 0.360 back.
Piastri goes faster, 1:17.684, but Norris beats him by 0.3.
Verstappen first over the line in Q3. 1:17.725.
David Croft and Martin Brundle wondering if this is the end of Mercedes’s pole run. “My gut feeling says it’s Norris v Hamilton for pole,” says Brundle.
That was hairy for Leclerc and Antonelli after the yellow and the deletion, but they make it through. How much of that was real, how much was it shadow? Because Antonelli was 0.937 behind Norris.
Q2 eliminations
Out go Lawson, Gasly, Colapinto, Bortoleto, Ocon and Alonso.
Leclerc is safe, second fastest, as long as his time stands.
Antonelli pushes Charles Leclerc into the bottom six.
Antonelli had his time deleted and is down in 15th!
Hadjar puts a time on the board, and what a time! 1:17.872, top of the standings.
Alonso into 10th, a 1:19.8! For how long?
The drop zone shaping up as Gasly, Colapinto, Ocon, and the timeless Hadjar and Bortoleto.
Antonelli on the radio: “I have zero grip.” But he was second, just 0.247 behind Hamilton.
Hamilton fastest in 1:17.931!
Lando Norris on a used set 0.317 behind Verstappen. Russell lost his flying lap to the yellows needed after Hadjar’s spin. Yet more bad luck.
Hadjar spins! Manages to get going again off the grass but could affect his Q3 chances.
Everyone is out early for Q2. Verstappen is the first contender over the line in 1:18.249.
Q2 is go with Alonso showing off.
