Results qualifying | Verstappen impresses as Perez struggles again
Another pole for Max Verstappen. The reigning world champion was fastest on a track that saw some rain early in the session. Charles Leclerc was the big disappointment in qualifying with P19. Sergio Perez did not have a great day either. The Red Bull Racing man dropped out in Q2. Here are the full results of qualifying, although an investigation into a possible foul on Pierre Gasly is ongoing.
With the threat of rain, almost all the drivers decided to go outside immediately at the green light. Before the session was well underway, the red flag was waved again. A few sliders had caused some gravel to spill onto the track here and there. After a short break, Q1 was a big tombola, with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez getting into trouble. Perez still made it to Q2, Leclerc failed.
In Q2, Verstappen immediately set the fastest time, on which all his competitors broke down. For Perez and Russell, this qualifying lap even marked the end of their hunt for pole. In the final part of qualifying, Verstappen was far away from all other drivers. Almost a second was the difference between Verstappen and the next-placed driver in the standings.