Leclerc signs a pole full of authority in Austria

Charles Leclerc takes the second pole position of his young career in Austria after the one won in Bahrain earlier this season. In the clan Ferrari, the feeling is however bittersweet since Sebastian Vettel experienced a problem with the engine's pneumatic system between Q2 and Q3, which prevented the German from taking part in the final phase of qualifying. 

The pole sitter Leclerc is ahead of Mercedes de Lewis Hamilton by 0”259 but the world championship leader was penalized three places for hindering Kimi Räikkönen in Q1. Max Verstappen, sparkling 3rd at the wheel of his Red Bull, will finally start from the front row for the Red Bull national GP.

Valtteri Bottas qualifies 4th aboard the second Flèche d'Argent and will start from 3rd place. The Finn, poleman in Austria during the last two editions, precedes a surprising Kevin Magnussen. The Dane of Haas shouted with joy as he crossed the line but he will have to drop back to 10th place on the grid due to a gearbox change.

Lando Norris confirms the fine provisions of McLaren, the British rookie snatching the 6th time, converted into 4th place with the various penalties. Great overall performance from Alfa Romeo with the 6th and 7th places of Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi. On the other hand, another complicated session for Pierre Gasly, who had to settle for 8th fastest time in Q3, ahead of the unfortunate Vettel. 

Note that the Mercedes and Red Bull of Verstappen will start on Sunday with Medium tires when the Ferraris will be on Soft tires on the grid. 

Disappointment for the Renault, whose two cars were eliminated in Q2. Slowed down by an error from Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg et Daniel Ricciardo cannot do better than 12th and 14th. Romain Grosjean (Haas) misses the Top 10 by 24 thousandths compared to his teammate. Consolation for the Frenchman, he will be able to start the race with the tire of his choice. Alexander albon (13e) and Carlos Sainz (15th) do not advance to Q3 either.

Q1 proved fatal to the Racing Point of Sergio Pérez and Lance stroll, the Canadian stopping at this stage for the 13th time in a row. Hindered by a car of slow-moving single-seaters in the last sector of his final flying lap, Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) is also part of the cart, just like the Williams of George Russell and Robert Kubica, subscribers to the back of the grid this season. 

However, the two FW42s will not start from the last row given the tide of penalties for changing engine components and other gearboxes which has swept across the hillsides of Styria. This is the F1 modern.