70th Anniversary Grand Prix – Qualifications: Bottas on Hamilton’s turf, ahead of Hülkenberg

The qualifying session of the 5th Grand Prix of the year takes place under very summery conditions with 26°C in the air and 43°C on the ground. The wind is very present and is an element to be considered by all the drivers.

The teams having used up the majority of the softer tires, strategies will shift towards medium and hard tires. Indeed, the red-walled tires do not hold up due to overheating, and everyone will aim to start the race with yellow or white-walled tires. It is therefore important for the drivers qualifying in Q3 to finish the best lap of Q2 on medium tires. Let’s remember that those not qualifying in Q3 have the royal choice for starting Sunday’s race.

Let us recall that the absolute circuit record was set last weekend by Lewis Hamilton at 1:24.303.

Q1 – Eliminated: Räikkönen; Giovinazzi; Latifi; Magnussen; Kvyat. Difficult for Vettel; Q2 for Grosjean and Russell

The drivers take the track on soft tires in an effort to limit the use of harder tires. Ideally, for the single-seaters, it will be to reach Q2 without having to use yellow-sidewall tires.

First laps underway and already the Mercedes take the lead quickly followed by Verstappen’s Red Bull with a 1:27.154. Gasly confirms his good form, trailing closely behind Hülkenberg’s 4th time.

The drivers complain about the wind, which hinders the single-seaters on the attack. With empty tanks, the red tires seem to hold up better than during free practice.

Albon is unable to complete a clean lap and remains in the elimination zone with 5 minutes remaining. Dangerous maneuver between Russell and Ocon, with the latter inadvertently finding himself on the Englishman’s fast path. A penalty is likely for the Renault driver.

The final lap of Q1 is approaching, and the provisional outcasts include the Alfa-Romeos accompanied by Latifi, Magnussen, and the disappointing Albon who absolutely needs to set things right.

Last Q1 attempt and Russell finishes a superb lap, ending in a provisional 8th position. Gasly achieves the 4th fastest time in his turn, while Magnussen and Latifi are already eliminated, as is Kvyat, who laments a seven-tenths gap with his teammate. He mentions a broken floor on a curb over the radio. Great performances for Grosjean and Russell who advance to Q2. Vettel finishes with the 14th fastest time after using two sets of tires.

Q2 – Eliminated: Russell; Grosjean; Sainz; Vettel; Ocon. Bet won for Verstappen and superb performance by Gasly.

Back on track for the single-seaters equipped with medium tires and even hard tires for Verstappen, who will attempt Q3 this way in order to start the race equipped with white-edged tires.

Hamilton’s first flying lap shows a car that slides a lot with a wheel lock-up. Provisional benchmark for Bottas with a 1:25.785 as he put in a cleaner lap than his teammate.

Off-track excursion for Hülkenberg who goes wide in the corner and ends up on the grass. Lap lost but no apparent damage.

Verstappen managed to secure the 5th provisional time with his hard tires. He will have a clear strategic advantage at the start of the race if his time of 1:26.779 makes it to Q3.

Vettel’s attack lap places him in 10th position, 1.5 seconds behind the leader, but Leclerc secures the 4th fastest time. The four-time world champion finds himself 11th and temporarily out of Q3.

Gasly imitates Hülkenberg at the exit of Chapel and cancels his lap; he remains provisionally 10th.

Last attempt for the drivers to make it into Q3 and Russell finishes 1.6 seconds behind the leader, less than two-tenths away from the Q3 zone. Vettel goes out on soft tires in an attempt to continue the session.

New impressive performance for Gasly with a provisional 4th fastest time while Hülkenberg takes 2nd behind Bottas. Sebastian Vettel is stuck in 12th position while Leclerc finishes 8th. Ocon ends the session with an 11th fastest time. Grosjean, Sainz, and Russell also finish.

Q3 – Bottas finally beats Hamilton ahead of Hülkenberg

The drivers are heading out for this final qualifying session. Most are equipped with soft tires, but Ricciardo, Albon, and Verstappen are on mediums.

Hamilton sets the benchmark time at 1:25.284 ahead of Bottas and Ricciardo. The Renault is more than a second behind the Englishman.

Mercedes are once again ahead of their competitors.

The final attempt will be decisive to bring agreement to a Ricciardo comfortable with his Renault, Hülkenberg provisionally 4th, and Verstappen who will certainly not let it end there. Norris closes the provisional top 10 at almost two seconds from Hamilton. The McLarens seem to have lost competitiveness.

Last session outing and the mediums are now fitted on both Mercedes. Ricciardo is also equipped with yellow tires, while Verstappen and others are on soft tires to attempt the best performance.

Hamilton slides a lot in sector 3 and gets overtaken by Bottas with a time of 1:25.154. The Finn is the provisional pole sitter. Hülkenberg delivers a superb performance with the 3rd fastest time ahead of Max Verstappen who lost everything in sector 2. Ricciardo finishes with the 5th fastest time ahead of Stroll, Gasly, Leclerc, Albon, and Norris.