First qualifying with new rules for Leclerc, Hamilton far behind

After three months of waiting and practice sessions, the first qualifying session of this year’s F1 season came up. It was practically impossible to talk about the favourite for pole position, as there were many more candidates than usual. In the end, the great readiness of Ferrari was shown, which, thanks to Charles Leclerc, will start from the first place.

The first part of qualifying showed for the first time in the season the real strength of all twenty monoposts. Daniel Ricciardo’s performance was a big disappointment. He lost over six tenths to his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and finished eighteenth. A very poor pace then befell Aston Martin, which did not get a single monopod into the top 15 in the second session.

In Q2, the slowness of the McLaren and Williams monoblocs was confirmed as neither Lando Norris nor Alexander Albon made any progress. Then Mick Schumacher was sobered. The German took half a second from Haas teammate Magnussen and will start 12th on Sunday. As in the first session, Max Verstappen was fastest. He was the overwhelming favourite to take pole position.

The third part of qualifying offered some tyre manoeuvring. The Mercedes had already put on used tyres and the first times were far beyond expectations. On the other hand, both Ferrari drivers took the lead, with Carlos Sainz being quicker after the opening lap.

Even with two minutes to go, the circle of favourites was no smaller. Right after the first corner of the last attempt, George Russell was de facto eliminated, having made a crucial mistake. Mercedes only had Hamilton in the game at that point. But even he wasn’t enough to get better than fifth place and the Silver Arrows’ troubles this time really weren’t just rumours. Russell would even start ninth.

Charles Leclerc took the lead with a great lap and the Monegasque eventually held provisional pole position. It will be the tenth qualifying triumph for the Italian Ferrari driver. “The last two years have been very difficult for the team. I wasn’t completely happy with my driving, but I put together a good lap in Q3. I’m very happy,” Leclerc said after qualifying.

The race starts at 4pm on Sunday and only the Ferraris and Red Bulls will be on the first two rows. Next to Leclerc will be Verstappen, with the pair of Sainz, Pérez behind them. The third row belongs to Hamilton in the Mercedes and Bottas in the Alfa Romeo.

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