Verstappen takes a convincing pole in Austria, Gasly 6th

Nothing seems to be able to stop Max Verstappen Right now. The leader of the world championship indeed dominates a lively and contested qualifying session in Styria to sign his 3rd pole position in 2021, his 2nd in a row, and the 6th of his career.

Never worried in Q3, the driver Red Bull could have taken pole with any of his two attempts during the final qualifying segment. With a time of 1'03"841, the Dutchman is ahead of the clock on Mercedes de Valtteri Bottas, author of a beautiful last flying lap.  

The Finn, who is 0'194 behind Verstappen, will however have to move back 3 places on the grid after being sanctioned by the Red Bull Ring stewards for his dangerous spin in the pit lane in Free Practice 2 on Friday afternoon. 

This sanction will primarily benefit his teammate Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), which completed 3 flying laps in Q3 but did not manage to get close to the mark set by its great rival for the title. 

Behind, Lando Norris confirms its excellent form in 2021 with the 4th time, which will transform into 3rd position on the grid. The pilot McLaren ahead of the 2nd Red Bull of Sergio Pérez and theAlpha Tauri de Pierre Gasly, 6th after another convincing performance in qualifying. 

The Norman precedes his friend Charles Leclerc, which saves the furniture a little in Q3 for Ferrari. Follows Yuki tsunoda (AlphaTauri), which returns to Q3 after its misfortunes at Castellet (Var). The Japanese rookie is, however, under threat of sanction for potentially blocking Bottas during the session. 

Fernando Alonso also confirms his good current form by inviting himself again into Q3, while his teammate Alpine Esteban Ocon is eliminated from Q1. The double Spanish world champion is 9th, ahead Lance stroll (Aston Martin). 

George Russell (Williams) lived up to his nickname “Mr Saturday” by setting the 11th fastest time at the wheel of his modest Williams. The Briton failed 0''008 behind in Q3 compared to the Montrealer.

Russell has the luxury of getting ahead Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and a Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) who we expected to be much more dashing after his fine French Grand Prix and his encouraging performance during free practice on Friday (2nd time in EL2). 

Disappointment also for Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), only 14th. The four-time German world champion is ahead ofAlfa Romeo by Antonio Giovinazzi).

The surprise elimination from Q1 is therefore called Esteban Ocon. The Frenchman only manages to set the 17th time, behind the Williams of Nicholas latifi, who missed Q2 by a breath compared to Ricciardo (0''033). 

In the cart of prematurely eliminated, we also find Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo), increasingly transparent in qualifying, and the Haas de Mick Schumacher et Nikita mazepin.