Hamilton snatches pole with one breath in Barcelona

As since the start of the season, the only suspense of this qualifying session consisted of knowing who Lewis Hamilton ou Valtteri Bottas was going to start from the peak position at the Spanish Grand Prix.

At the end of an intense duel in Q3, it was ultimately Lewis Hamilton who had the last word and took his 92nd career pole for the occasion, the 5th in Barcelona, ​​the 4th this season.

Leading by 59 thousandths after the first attempts in Q3, with a time of 1’15”584, the six-time world champion does not improve but his Finnish teammate cannot find the few hundredths of a second that he was missing either.

Behind the untouchable Silver Arrows which became black in 2020, we find a familiar face, that of Max Verstappen with her Red Bull-Honda. The Dutchman expected to suffer the law of Mercedes, they who enjoy a particularly impressive qualifying mode but which could disappear at the next round in Belgium.

The recent winner of the 70th Anniversary GP will, however, not be able to count on a staggered tire strategy in the race because the entire Top 10 entered Q3 with the softest red rubber.

For his return to competition with 2 weeks of isolation due to Coronavirus, Sergio Pérez took a very nice 4th place, just ahead of his teammate Lance stroll.

Alexander albon (Red Bull) delivers its most successful qualifying performance in a while with the 6th fastest time. Follow the 2 McLaren de Carlos Sainz et Lando Norris. Charles Leclerc must be satisfied with the 9th time aboard the best placed of the Ferrari. The Monegasque is ahead of his friend Pierre Gasly and his Alpha Tauri.

Despite its change of Ferrari chassis, Sebastian Vettel stops again from Q2. The four-time world champion missed the boat by a breath, 2 thousandths of a second compared to Norris' McLaren.

Not without an improvement at the end of Q2, Daniil Kvyat did not manage to reach the last phase of the Saturday afternoon session. The Russian is, however, under investigation by the commissioners for having obstructed Kevin Magnussen (Haas) in Q1.

Disappointing session in the clan Renault : Daniel Ricciardo must be satisfied with the 13th time, 2 places ahead Esteban Ocon, who was able to hold his place after his mechanics repaired his damaged R.S.20 in FP3 following a strange incident involving Magnussen.

Between the two yellow-and-black cars slips veteran Kimi Räikkönen. For the first time this season, a Alfa Romeo extricates himself from the quagmire of Q1. His teammate Antonio Giovinazzi damages his flat bottom by veering too wide and brings up the rear in Q1.

The Italian is accompanied in the first cart by the Williams of George Russell, who had nevertheless reached Q2 during the last 4 weekends of competition, and Nicholas latifi. While they had climbed into the Top 10 during free practice on Friday, the Haas found a rank more in line with their recent performances. Magnussen is 16th, one place ahead Romain Grosjean.

The Spanish Grand Prix will start tomorrow at 15:10 p.m. and can be followed live on our website via our live text.