Max Verstappen will start in first position for the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Sprint on Saturday, narrowly beating McLaren’s Lando Norris. Verstappen’s lap time of 1:04.686s was just a tenth of a second faster than Norris, with Oscar Piastri in third, three tenths behind. The Red Bull Ring, known for having the shortest lap time on the Formula 1 calendar, resulted in a highly competitive Sprint qualifying session on Friday. Qualifying has become extremely tight in recent weeks, with milliseconds determining the positions among the leading teams.
Verstappen faced a sensor issue during the practice session but still managed to top the time sheets, giving him a favorable position heading into the Sprint qualifying session. The session began with a 12-minute SQ1 session, where drivers were required to use new medium tires. However, the drivers initially hesitated to leave the pits, resulting in several minutes passing before any cars appeared on track. This left little room for errors, as Lewis Hamilton discovered when he had to abort his first attempt due to a track limits violation. He had less than three minutes remaining to set a time on the board. With just 15 seconds left, Hamilton managed to complete a lap, but it was not clean and only secured him provisional 11th place. Fortunately, his time was enough to advance to SQ2.
A SQ2 saw a similar situation, with several drivers taking a long time to set a time. Only eight drivers managed to set a time in the first half of the session, increasing the pressure on those at risk of elimination. In the final seconds, there was a flurry of action as drivers fought to improve their positions. Kevin Magnussen missed out on the top ten by just half a tenth of a second, while Lance Stroll and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso battled once again, finishing 12th and 13th respectively. Yuki Tsunoda barely made it through SQ1 in 15th place, and Logan Sargeant, who outperformed his Williams teammate Alex Albon, finished 15th in SQ2, just eight tenths behind Verstappen’s leading time.
Verstappen continued his impressive performance in SQ3, setting the fastest time and securing pole position for the Sprint. The other 10 drivers had eight minutes and soft tires to compete for the top positions. However, once again, no one wanted to leave the garages in the early minutes, resulting in a queue forming at the pit exit with just over two minutes remaining. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc encountered a setback when he temporarily stopped in the pits, leaving him with little time to complete his lap before the checkered flag. As a result, Leclerc finished in a disappointing 10th place in the Sprint qualifying. Verstappen had no such issues and finished first in SQ3, leading all three elements of Friday’s Sprint qualifying session, securing his position at the front of the grid for Saturday’s Sprint.
Norris will join Verstappen on the front row, while Piastri and George Russell from Mercedes will share the second row, with Russell trailing Verstappen by 0.368s. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz set the fifth fastest time, while Hamilton finished sixth after a less than ideal session. Sergio Perez finished seventh, unable to maximize his final run due to a lack of a clear racing line, and ended up 1.322s behind the pole position. Alpine’s strong performance continued, with both drivers making it to Q3, showcasing the team’s pace from the previous race in Barcelona. Esteban Ocon led Alpine’s performance in eighth place, followed by Pierre Gasly in ninth.
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A new record was set in the world of sports today, leaving all fans thrilled. During the athletics competition held in the city, Brazilian runner Marcos Silva won the gold medal in the 100-meter dash, with an impressive time of 9.58 seconds. This mark surpassed the previous record set 12 years ago by the legendary athlete Usain Bolt.
Silva’s performance was incredible, leaving all spectators in awe. He demonstrated impressive speed and endurance throughout the race, leaving his competitors behind. His impeccable technique and exemplary physical preparation were essential in achieving this historic feat.
After the race, Silva expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete and the support of his team. He stated that he trained intensely for this moment and was confident in his ability to surpass the world record. His dedication and determination have inspired many young athletes to pursue their dreams in sports.
The conquest of Silva is an important milestone for Brazilian athletics and proof that talent and hard work can lead to success. He has become a true national hero and his name will forever be recorded in the history of sports. Now, everyone is eager to see how he will continue to shine in future competitions and break more records.
This new record set by Marcos Silva is a powerful reminder that limits are there to be surpassed. It shows us that with determination and dedication, we can achieve great feats in any area of life. May this achievement inspire not only athletes, but all those who strive to achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams. Congratulations, Marcos Silva, on this incredible conquest!
