There was Max Verstappen and the others in Montreal. After qualifying on a wet then dry track, the Red Bull driver took the 15th pole position of his career in relative comfort. Impressive since the start of the weekend, Fernando Alonso created a surprise by completing the front row, ahead of Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).
The world champion had a huge opportunity to seize. And didn’t let her pass. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) condemned to the back of the grid and therefore remained in the garage from Q2, Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) author of a track exit which also ejected him to 14th place, the Dutchman made sure to to be in the ideal position to achieve a big blow in the championship.
Ferrari flies over the championship… retirements: farewell to the title?
The 24-year-old driver slapped the competition and kept lowering his own marks to finish in 1’21″299. Enough to push Fernando Alonso, on fire in Montreal, to 0″645 and his compatriot Spaniard Carlos Sainz at 0″797.
In difficulty during free practice, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) saved appearances with fourth fastest time, but from a distance (+1″592). His teammate George Russell tried an impossible bet by mounting slick tires at the end of the session. No miracle: the young Briton had to settle for 8th time, behind Esteban Ocon.
Porpoising, the alert rating: “I feel like I’m watching a boxing fight”
Another surprising fact of this qualification: the great form of the Haas in these conditions, since Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher secured the third line. It will still be very difficult for them to contain the rest of the peloton on Sunday, since the race should be contested in dry conditions. Enough to allow Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), trapped in Q1 and 15th on the grid, Sergio Pérez, 13th, and at fault in Q2, as well as Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 19th, to come back up?
“Piastri is coming, he’s the next big thing in Formula 1”