At the 2024 Austrian GP, F1 qualifying saw Max Verstappen take pole with a 1:04.314, an impressive 0.404 seconds from Lando Norris and George Russell.
Max Verstappen had taken the win in the Sprint Race in Austria. Followed by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, however coming onto qualifying the McLaren’s were looking to challenge Verstappen for pole.
Charles Leclerc was looking to prove something after a difficult sprint qualifying, which had him unable to put a time in for SQ3, qualifying 10th.
When the session began, Max Verstappen wasted no time as he headed out into the pit lane, waiting for the green light. Leclerc joined him, not risking another late exit.
Most of the front runners were on used softs for the first session in qualifying, however the Williams and RB had new sets on.
Q1
Max Verstappen did the first fast lap with a 1:06.054 with Perez 0.147 behind.
This was short-lived as the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc crossed the line to go fastest, with a 1:05.901. Norris and Piastri slotting in behind all within 0.027 to the Monegasque.
Yuki Tsunoda put in a brilliant lap on new softs, which put him in 4th. Equally Magnussen managed to do an impressive 1:06.165 fast enough for 7th.
The two Mercedes drivers finally headed out on their fast laps, Russell going 2 tenths faster than the rest of the grid with a 1:05.614.
The front runners headed out on track a second time, Verstappen managing to take the fastest time by 2 tenths, which was then topped by the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, who did a 1:05.263 only 0.073 faster than Verstappen.
With both Haas and Sauber in the elimination zone, they all went out hoping for some extra performance. Magnussen did enough to go 11th, Bottas going fast enough for 13th.
With five minutes left in the session, the drivers in the elimination zone were Hamilton, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Sargaent, and Zhou.
Hamilton went out onto the track and he used his new softs to get himself out of the elimination zone. However, even with the new tyres, Hamilton was only fast enough for 6th place.
Kevin Magnussen managed to find time going 5th fastest, only 0.254 off of Sainz in P1. His teammate Hülkenberg only going 12th fastest.
Both Aston Martins had struggled all weekend. Fernando Alonso just crept through into Q2, with Stroll being out in 17th. The front of the grid saw Sainz leading from Piastri and Verstappen.
Out in Q1: Albon, Stroll, Bottas, Sargaent and Zhou.
Q2
There were incredibly close margins across the grid in Q1. The two Ferrari and the Alpine’s both chose to go out early in Q2. The Ferrari’s put on the set of used softs from Q1.
Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap of the four, with a 1:05.532. Again, the margins were only 2 tenths to his teammate in fourth.
Max Verstappen made his way round the track, putting in purple sectors in all sectors. He crossed the line to put a second between himself and the Ferrari with a 1:04.577.
The two Mercedes managed to get closer to the Red Bull driver, Russell went second with a 1:05.068. Piastri slipped in behind, with Norris following his teammate.
With both Ferrari’s sat in the elimination zone, the drivers headed back out on brand new tyres. Sainz’s lap was good enough to go second, but he was still 0.439 off of Verstappen. Leclerc was on used tyres and he only went fast enough for sixth.
With five minutes to go in Q2, both Haas’, Tsunoda, Gasly and Alonso all found themselves at risk. Everyone headed out for their last runs. However, Sainz remained in the garage, not willing to use up another set of soft tyres.
In the last runs, Hamilton went third fastest. Hülkenberg managed to get the Haas into 9th while his teammate wasn’t able to get out of the elimination zone, along with Alosno and Ricciardo.
Out in Q2: Ricciardo, Gasly, Magnussen, Tsunoda and Alonso.
Q3
Verstappen got a sizeable gap to second in Q2. However, behind him, the gap had been nearly nonexistent.
Most drivers had a two sets of new tyres to run for the final part of qualifying, Leclerc and Hülkenberg only had one set of new tyres and Ocon and Pérez had no new soft tyres.
Max Verstappen did an impressive 1:04.426, having Norris and Leclerc slot behind. Russell took third place, but was still 0.528 off the pace of the leading Red Bull.
With just two minutes remaining in Q3, the drivers all headed out on their final set of new soft tyres, Verstappen leading the pack.
Verstappen had a slightly messing middle sector however, he still went faster than before with a 1:04.314. Piastri went second, but still 0.472 behind Verstappen. Norris was fast enough to get ahead of his teammate, but not enough to beat Verstappen.
Leclerc had the rear end slip out in the middle sector, taking a run through the gravel and having to abort the lap he was on. Unfortunately, Oscar Piastri, who had been sitting in third, had his lap time deleted, starting seventh.
McLaren are appealing the track time deletion so the results for the top ten may change. Although currently Verstappen took the lead with a 1:04.314, Norris behind with a 1:04.718 and Russell with a 1:04.840.
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