While everyone expected the McLarens to compete in qualifying, Max Verstappen once again showed something that only he can do.
Q1 started as it had all weekend, with two McLarens quickly taking the lead and then setting the pace for the field. Lando Norris led first, Oscar Piastri second, and behind them the two Red Bulls were still a force to be reckoned with. That was the situation after the first timed laps, and then the Mercedes and Williams joined the fray, performing well in all three practice sessions. Ultimately, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished the session in the top positions, while we said goodbye to Esteban Ocon, Nico Hülkenberg, Jack Doohan, as well as Lance Stroll and Gabriel Bortoletto.
Q2 also didn't bring any big changes, Verstappen was still competing with two McLarens, and seeing the Dutchman more and more often we have the impression that he is setting times that shouldn't be possible in this car. The real excitement took place on the border of the top10, because Alex Albon didn't manage to advance, but surprisingly Carlos Sainz went through, two Racing Bulls, Fernando Alonso and Bearman also dropped out. The top3 finally closed in the order Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, from where pole position will probably also emerge.
In Q3 we expected a big competition, but Lando Norris appeared and ruined everything... Well, that's not entirely true, because he only hit McLaren and his own timer into the wall, but he was eliminated from further competition. Red flag! After a short time, the competition resumed, where Verstappen showed an incredible lap, and Piastri was chasing him by one thousandth. George Russell also did not hesitate, who set an even faster time than them. At the beginning... Because then Max Verstappen came and did his magic again, he defeated Oscar Piastri and also defeated the fantastically leading George Russell.
If tomorrow's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is even half as good, we'll happily sign off on that...
Photo: Lat Images / F1
