2023-08-27 13:32:55
Hardly anyone expected that: Not only Alex Albon made it into the play-off for the top 10 starting places in the final training session at Zandvoort. His Williams teammate Logan Sargeant was also among the top ten on Saturday. While the rookie didn’t take his chance and finished the pursuit of the times in the barriers and thus in 10th place, Albon turned the fourth fastest lap in the end.
Champion Max Verstappen, who had secured pole, was also happy about this. When asked about it in the press conference, the 25-year-old Dutchman said: “I didn’t know what to expect from the other teams, but Williams was very fast all weekend – both on the wet track and on the dry track .»
“I’m very impressed and it’s also great for the sport when more teams can compete at the top,” continued the championship leader. “I’m also happy for Alex himself. He was my team-mate and is a great guy. We’ve always had a good time together and I’m happy that he has such a competitive car, at least this weekend,” said the Red Bull Racing star.
McLaren driver Lando Norris, who set the second fastest lap in qualifying, said: “I wouldn’t say it’s a big surprise because they were always fast on selected circuits, such as Silverstone. And here they were able to maintain the good form into qualifying, and I’m happy for him and the whole team. They’ve made some big strides this year and it’s nice to have them up front in the fight.”
Qualifying, Zandvoort
01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:10,567 min
02. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:11.104
03. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:11,294
04. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:11,419
05. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:11,506
06. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:11,754
07. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:11.880
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:11.938
09. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:12,665
10. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:16,748
11. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:20,121
12. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:20,128
13. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:20,151
14. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1:20,230 *
15. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:20,250
16. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo, 1:22,067
17. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:22,110
18. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:22.192
19. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:22,260
20. Liam Lawson (NZ), AlphaTauri, 1:23,420
* receives a penalty of three places back on the grid for blocking Lewis Hamilton in qualifying
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