Verstappen Dominates Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying: Breaking Records and Eyeing Victory

2023-06-30 17:42:11

It is the sixth time that Verstappen has started from first place this season and the fourth in a row, the 26th in his professional career.

Verstappen scored 1:04.391 minutes, ahead of Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc from Monaco (1:04.439 d) and Spaniard Carlos Science (1:04.581 d), while British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, world champion seven times, came fifth behind his compatriot McLaren driver Lando Norris. .

Veteran Spanish Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso, world champion in 2005 and 2006, finished seventh behind Canadian teammate Lance Stroll.

Verstappen is seeking his fourth victory in Austria to be alone with the record for the largest number of victories in this award that is held in the home of his Red Bull team, which he shares with the 4-time world champion, Frenchman Alain Prost, who was crowned in 1983, 1985 and 1986.

The Dutchman leads the overall standings, 69 points behind his Mexican Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, the only other driver to win a race this season (Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan).

Winner of the last four races, “Mad Max” seems a strong candidate to continue his domination of the world championship on the Red Bull circuit and in front of his supporters, who always come in large numbers.

But it will be difficult for Reid to achieve the double at home, because his second driver, Pires, will start from the 15th position. It is the fourth time in a row that the Mexican has failed to qualify for the third qualifying session, the final part of the qualifiers.

Verstappen dominated today’s only free practice session.

Similar to the Azerbaijan race, a single free trial round was satisfied, followed by a “classic” period of qualifying trials, which was brought forward from Saturday to Friday due to the speed race scheduled for Saturday.

The sprint race will be the second this season out of six races, after the first in Baku.

Here are the results from the third round of official testing:

1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands / Red Bull) 1:04.391 minutes

2. Charles Leclerc (Monaco/Ferrari) 1:04.439 d

3. Carlos Science (Spain/Ferrari) 1:04.581 d

4. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) 1:04.658 d

5. Lewis Hamilton (Britain / Mercedes) 1:04.819 d

6. Lance Stroll (Canada / Aston Martin) 1:04.893 d

7. Fernando Alonso (Spain/Aston Martin) 1:04.911m

8. Nico Hulkenberg (Germany / Haas) 1:05.090 d

9. Pierre Gasly (France / Alpine) 1:05.170 d

10. Alexander Albon (Thailand / Williams) 1:05.823 d