F1
Verstappen on pole at Spa, major feat for Russell!
Max Verstappen scores the first pole for a Red Bull at Spa-Francorchamps in 10 years. © Antonin Vincent / DPPI
Normally, a pole position signed Max Verstappen (Red Bull) constitutes the main event of a qualifying session, but for once, the Dutchman takes a back seat as the feat achieved by the man alongside him on the front row of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix is major.
Indeed, nothing predestined George Russell (Williams) to interfere in the fight of the “big guys”, even if his pace in Q1 and Q2, already with intermediate tires and a wet track, was promising (still in the top 10).
The champion of Formula 2 2019 was simply remarkable during the final phase of qualifying this Saturday, August 28. Faster than everyone in the first sector, the wearer of number 63 led his Williams to the provisional best time, ahead of the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). Unfortunately for him, Max Verstappen had not completed his last flying lap…
The pole for @Max33Verstappen under the Dantesque conditions of Spa-Francorchamps! ☔️ WHAT AN END OF Q3! WELL DONE @ GeorgeRussell63 !!!#BelgianGP
In any case, this second time from George Russell constitutes the best performance of the independent team since the Monza (Italy) 2017 tests. Even more eloquent, the last time a Williams had climbed to the first line in the Ardennes dates back… to 2001 (first line Juan Pablo Montoya-Ralf Schumacher)!
The other big presenter of this session is not on the first row, nor even on the second, and did not even set a time in Q3. Lando Norris (McLaren) was touching on a dream, that of achieving his first pole position in Formula 1.
The 21-year-old Englishman had strongly convinced through his Q1 and Q2 laps on intermediate tires (1st each time), but a new downpour between Q2 and Q3 made the grip even more precarious. Second to pass the Raidillon at high speed, the 2 Formula 2018 runner-up lost control near the top of the curve, hit the inside wall of tires and spun.
https://twitter.com/CanalplusF1/status/1431625613224390657
Holding his left forearm, the Briton was taken to the Spa medical center and is undergoing scans. This impressive image was the opportunity to Sebastian Vettel to prove his chivalrous spirit, by stopping at the wreck to make sure his comrade was okay:
Fortunately, the Oranges are making up for it thanks to the return to favor of Daniel Ricciardo. On the occasion of his 200th participation in F1, the Australian placed fourth, ahead of his ex-Red Bull teammate, Sebastian Vettel. The first Frenchman classified is Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri), sixth, ahead of Sergio Pérez (Red Bull).
Author of the eighth time, Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) will drop to 13th place due to the application of its five-place penalty linked to the collision at the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix. What to promote Esteban Ocon (Alpine) in this eighth place and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) to the 10th.
The Reds went astray, as no Ferrari made it to Q3. Same bitter observation for Fernando Alonso (Alpine) stuck in 15th place. Also penalized because of the first braking accident at the Hungaroring, Lance stroll will start from the back of the grid.
Qualification ranking:
QUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION ⏱️
Pole for @Max33Verstappen and P2 for @ GeorgeRussell63 after a thrilling Saturday at Spa 🤩#BelgianGP 🇧🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/aI8fybQw0G
- Formula 1 (@ F1) August 28
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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