Even though everyone expected a McLaren duel since qualifying, Max Verstappen once again demonstrated something that only he can do.
Q1 started as it had all weekend: Two McLarens quickly took first place and set the pace for the others. Lando Norris led once, Oscar Piastre once, and behind them the two Red Bulls proved to be a relevant force. This is how we were after the first timed laps, when Mercedes and Williams also got involved, and they performed well throughout all the practice sessions. In the end, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastre took the lead, while Esteban Ocon, Nico Hülkenberg, Jack Doohan, Lance Stroll and Gabriel Bortoletto had to say goodbye early.
Q2 did not bring much change, Verstappen continued to try to compete with the two McLarens, looking at the Dutchman, it increasingly seems that he is driving times that cannot be achieved in Red Bull. However, the real excitement took place at the top 10, as Alex Albon did not get further, but surprisingly Carlos Sainz managed to, while two Racing Bulls, Fernando Alonso and Bearman, also dropped out. The top 3 eventually ended in the order of Norris, Verstappen, Piastra, from where he will probably get pole position.
In Q3 we expected a big fight, but Lando Norris came and tore it all apart... Well, that's not entirely true, because he just hit the wall with McLaren and his time, which also eliminated him from the next race. Red flag! After a short time, the competition resumed, where Verstappen performed an incredible lap, which Piastri followed by a single thousandth. However, George Russell did not hold back either, who put down an even stronger lap. On the first attempt... Because Max Verstappen came and did magic again, beating Oscar Piastri and also the amazingly driving George Russell.
If tomorrow's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is half as good, we'll happily sign it...
Photo: Lat Images / F1
