Qualifying: Hamilton storms to Styrian pole in wet conditions

  • Published on 11 Jul 2020 16:47
  • comments 8
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton has clinched pole position for the Styrian Grand Prix, finishing 1.2 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

All three qualifying sessions were held in wet conditions after the session delayed by 46 minutes from its originally designated time. 

Hamilton's challenge from Max Verstappen in Q3 evaporated when the Dutchman spun on his final hot lap on the exit of Turn 9.

The Red Bull driver will line up in second place on tomorrow's grid ahead of former Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz, who managed to pull his McLaren into third place on the grid.

Last week's pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas was fourth fastest in the other Mercedes, edging out Esteban Ocon who secured a top-five starting position at his second race weekend for Renault

Alexander Albon found himself out-qualified by McLaren's Lando Norris, however Norris will move down three places following a grid penalty he was dished on Friday.

Sebastian Vettel was the only Ferrari to make it into Q2, while his teammate Charles Leclerc was only 11th fastest at the end of Q2, meaning he didn't advance into the last stage - continuing the ongoing woes for the Maranello-based squad.

Pierre Gasly was eighth for AlphaTauri ahead of Daniel Ricciardo and Vettel, who will line-up alongside his teammate for Sunday's race.

Williams progressed beyond Q1 for the first time since Brazil 2018, as George Russell battled the wet conditions to end the opening session in 12th.

The Briton would also end Q2 in the same position, setting a lap time that was only marginally down on Leclerc's.

Only one driver made contact with the barriers during qualifying, as towards the end of Q1, Antonio Giovinazzi spun in his Alfa Romeo, damaging his rear wing at the second-to-last corner.

After he parked up, a red flag was deployed - eliminating teammate Kimi Raikkonen, Sergio Perez and Nicholas Latifi from qualifying.

Romain Grosjean failed to set a lap time, however he did take to the track early on in Q1, only to run wide onto the gravel at Turn 4 and return to the pits.

The race will get underway at 15:10 local time on Sunday, when it is expected to be completely dry. 

AT Red Bull Ring - 11 July 2020

Quite spectacular. This season has been outstanding so far. That Lewis lap was incredible, I still don't understand what happened and why thf gap is so large.

Also McLaren seems to be the real deal.

Racing Point, I am very curious about why their pace was so bad in wet conditions

  • 2
  • Jul 11 2020 - 21:04

Replies (8)

Login to reply
  • abhidbgt

    Posts: 283

    So many laps. It's good to have wet qualifying sessions. Ferrari are abysmal and it seems it's all down to their ridiculously bad PU. Ocon, Russell and Gasly were consistently good throughout the qualifying session. But what a final lap from Lewis. Blew everyone away. Must seem disastrous for Racing Point after the pace they showed in free practice. The grand prix is set up good. :D

    • + 1
    • Jul 11 2020 - 17:13
    • Quite spectacular. This season has been outstanding so far. That Lewis lap was incredible, I still don't understand what happened and why thf gap is so large.

      Also McLaren seems to be the real deal.

      Racing Point, I am very curious about why their pace was so bad in wet conditions

      • + 2
      • Jul 11 2020 - 21:04
    • Kean

      Posts: 692

      I was impressed by Ocon, Russell and Gasly as well. I would add Sainz to that list, not to mention Hamilton, sure he's in the best car but to be that far ahead of the rest just shows he's quite spectacular. Perplexed by Perez's form, outpaced by Stroll that's gotta feel bad.

      • + 1
      • Jul 11 2020 - 23:11
    • There's one good explanation for the jump Hammy had in times: the rain had stopped, so the track was beginning to 'git gud' again. Max was on a similar lap before he goofed up and reverted to powersliding for style points. And then it was pretty chilly, meaning Merc' could switch on their engines without reprecussions.

      • + 0
      • Jul 12 2020 - 10:06
  • JuJuHound

    Posts: 352

    It was splendid, action packed, one of the best qualies from many races :D as not many we saw this year.
    Lewis made it really well, Max blew it but he did it on maximum.
    What;s the weather forecast for tomorrow?

    • + 0
    • Jul 11 2020 - 17:30
  • “Mission Win now” ROFL

    • + 0
    • Jul 11 2020 - 19:00
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    Party mode was obviously on

    • + 0
    • Jul 11 2020 - 21:04

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 04:04

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 04:04

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,377
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 208
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar