8
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.
BREAKING: @LewisHamilton takes pole position at a very wet Spielberg!
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 11, 2020
He is joined on the front row by @Max33Verstappen (P2), with @Carlossainz55 qualifying P3 ⏱️#AustrianGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/BYTJ02lvUX
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.
Red Bull Ring - 11 July 2020
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
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
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.
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.
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?
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ajpennypacker
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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