Max Verstappen Claims Top Spot in Qualifying for Spanish Grand Prix

Verstappen, leader of the standings, who set the fastest time during Saturday’s “exam” for the fifth time this season, outperformed Ferrari’s Spanish drivers Carlos Science and British McLaren’s Lando Norris. Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine) finished fourth, knowing that he was in danger of being subjected to a time penalty after he impeded other competitors during the trials.

“The car was very good,” said Mad Max, winner of four races this year. “Of course I was a little nervous because of the weather, but in the third stint the car was really fun to drive.”

The 25-year-old, who scored 1:12.272 minutes, added, “I love coming to Barcelona, ​​the track, the crowd, I love Formula One here and I hope I can add a new victory to my career.”

British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, world champion seven times, scored the fifth fastest time in front of Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), who was ahead of his fellow landlord Fernando Alonso for the first time this season, noting that the 41-year-old was content with ninth place after his car was damaged as a result of his exit. off the track in the second period.

Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine), who finished third in Monaco last week, is seventh in front of German Nico Hulkenberg (Haas). While Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) completed the top ten.

The trials, which began on a slippery track, included great surprises, as Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco came out of the first period to occupy the penultimate nineteenth place. Verstappen’s colleague, Mexican Sergio Pires, made a mistake to go off the track at the end of the second period, to start from eleventh place, in front of Britain’s George Russell, who disappointed in the second Mercedes.

Here are the timings of the top ten positions of the third qualifying period:

1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands / Red Bull) 1:12.272 minutes

2. Carlos Science (Spain/Ferrari) 1:12.734 d.

3. Lando Norris (Britain / McLaren) 1:12.792 d.

4. Pierre Gasly (France / Alpine) 1:12.816 d.

5. Lewis Hamilton (Britain/Mercedes) 1:12.818 d.

6. Lance Stroll (Canada / Aston Martin) 1:12.994 d.

7. Esteban Ocon (France / Alpine) 1:13.083 d.

8. Nico Hulkenberg (Germany / Haas) 1:13.229 d.

9. Fernando Alonso (Spain / Aston Martin) 1:13.507 d.

10. Oscar Biastri (Australia / McLaren) 1:13.682 d.