China News Service, August 16th. On the evening of the 15th, Beijing time, the F1 Spanish qualifying round ended at the Catalonia circuit. In the end, Hamilton successfully won the 92nd stroke of his career, Bottas ranked second with a slight gap of 0.059 seconds, and Verstappen third. Congratulations are that Alfa Romeo's "KIMI" Raikkonen entered Q2 for the first time this season and finally ranked 14th.
Image source: F1 Grand Prix official micro
The first qualifying session officially began, and Latifi made his first effective single lap score of 1:19.231. Bottas made the fastest lap time of 1:17.413 and reached the first place, but this result was quickly brushed off by Hamilton. Afterwards, the two drivers of the racing team got second and third place. In the last three minutes, the drivers put on new soft tires and drove on the track again. At this time, the two Haas drivers who performed well in the practice session were still in the relegation zone.
In the end, Q1 ended, Hamilton ranked first at 1:16.872, Perez was second, Bottas was third, Russell, Grosjean, Latifi, Magnussen, and Giovinaz were eliminated. Raikkonen of Alfa Romeo Team ranked 15th and successfully entered Q2. Aokang ranked 14th and also successfully advanced.
Raikkonen enters Q2
When the second quarter qualifying officially started, the two drivers of the Mercedes team took the lead with soft tires. Hamilton made the fastest lap time of 1:16.013, ranking first, Bottas second, behind by 0.139 seconds, and Verstappen temporarily third. The two Ferrari drivers have not yet made a valid lap. Subsequently, Leclerc made his Q2 individual's first lap score of 1:16.953 and reached fifth place. Vettel is still in the elimination zone. In the last 3 minutes of Q2, the drivers drove out of the pit lane.
In the end, the two drivers of the Mercedes team continued to take the top two in Q2, Verstappen was third, Vettel, Kvyat, Ricardo, Raikkonen, and Ocon were eliminated, and Norris ranked tenth. Thrill into Q3.
At the beginning of the third quarter qualifying, the drivers seized the time to drive onto the track and start the first sprint lap. Bottas made the fastest lap of 1:15.643, temporarily ranking first, and the two drivers of the racing team ranked second and third. Subsequently, Hamilton improved the fastest lap time to 1:15.584, only 0.059 faster than teammate Bottas, and Verstappen 1:16.292 to third place.
The final result of qualifying.
In the end, neither Hamilton nor Bottas could refresh the fastest results at the last minute. Hamilton won the pole position of the race with the fastest result of 1:15.584 in the first sprint lap, Bottas was second, Mercedes continued to dominate the front row without suspense; Verstapandi Third, the two drivers ranked fourth and fifth on the match point; sixth to tenth respectively: Alben, Sainz, Norris, Leclerc, Gasley.
After qualifying, the leading driver accepted an official interview. Hamilton stated that he couldn't improve his results on the second lap. Fortunately, the first lap was good enough and finally got pole position. Verstappen of the Red Bull Racing said: "This is the best result we can do so far. I hope we can go faster in the race." (End)