Not surprisingly, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed the pole position for tomorrow’s 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, but who will sit alongside him on the front row was somewhat of a surprise – as was who was eliminated in the first two of the three qualifying sessions at Barcelona.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Jr. will join Verstappen on the front row while McLaren’s Lando Norris unleashed a monster lap and will be in the second row with Pierre Gasly of Alpine.
Seven-time Formula One world champion, Lewis Hamilton, had the leading time for Mercedes in the first qualifying session but was unable to replicate that feat in the final session and wound up fifth-fastest and in the third row.
However, a slew of podium contenders found themselves in lower positions than expected. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso – currently second in the overall driver’s championship – will start only ninth while Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez starts 11th, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell starts 12th and Sainz, Jr.’s Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc starts all the way down in 19th after failing to get out of the first qualifying session.
2023 Spanish Grand Prix – Top 10 Qualifiers
1] Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:12.272
2] Carlos Sainz, Jr. Ferrari 1:12.734
3] Lando Norris McLaren 1:12.792
4] Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:12.816
5] Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:12.818
6] Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:12.994
7] Esteban Ocon Alpine 1:13.083
8] Nico Hulkenberg Haas 1:13.229
9] Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:13.507
10] Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:13.682
