Verstappen beats Leclerc to final pole position in 2023

Three-time world champion Max Verstappen snatched pole position on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris. F1Technical’s senior author Balázs Szabó reviews on the final qualifying session of 2023.

Q1 – Sainz knocked out

The opening levels of Q1 noticed drivers wait in the garages as everybody needed to have one of the best observe circumstances. Moreover, the apply classes indicated that Pirelli’s tender tyres provided one of the best grip on the primary lap which meant that timing was essential in qualifying.

Max Verstappen appeared to stuggle for tempo in the apply classes, however he picked up his pace as issues bought severe in qualifying. The Dutchman set one of the best time of the session with a 1m24.160s along with his team-mate Sergio Perez ending the session proper behind.

Having topped the final apply earlier at this time, George Russell set the 4th quickest time whereas his teammate Lewis Hamilton completed two locations behind.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ended the session in P10 as he struggled for tempo in the early a part of the session.

Carlos Sainz was the large identify to fall in Q1 because the Spaniard failed to progress into Q2 after setting solely the sixteenth quickest lap.

Alfa Romeo drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu and Haas racer Kevin Magnussen didn’t handle to get themselves via into the second qualifying phase. Williams driver Logan Sargeant looke fast, however he had his greatest time deleted which implies that he’ll line up final on the grid when the lights go inexperienced in the season-ending Abu Dhabi F1 race.

Carlos Sainz, Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu and Logan Sargeant have been eradicated on the finish of Q1.

Q2 – Hamilton endures shock elimination

Verstappen continued to impress when drivers rolled out on to the Yas Marina Circuit in Q2. The Dutchman used a brand new set of C5 tyres to set a blistering time of 1m23.740s

It was as soon as once more very tight in the center a part of qualifying and everybody bar Verstappen wanted an ideal final lap on contemporary softs on the finish of the session to have an opportunity for development into Q3.

The two Red Bulls and the 2 McLarens made it via into Q3 with Russell, Leclerc and Fernando Alonso additionally progressing into into the final a part of qualifying.

Yuki Tsunoda has had tough qualifying classes lately, however he fought his approach via into Q3. Having struggled for tempo earlier in the session, Pierre Gasly additionally secured his place in Q3 alongside Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, who delivered one other spectacular one-lap efficiency to get his Haas into Q3.

The huge shock was Lewis Hamilton, who had no obvious points on his final lap, however he was unable to progress into Q3 for the second time of asking after his woes in Las Vegas. The Briton famous on the crew radio that “there’s one thing not proper with this automotive.”

Lewis Hamilton, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Alexander Albon, Daniel Ricciardo have been eradicated on the finish of Q2.

Q3 – Leclerc impresses

The final phase of qualifying noticed drivers full their first flying lap on a used set of soppy tyres with the one exception being Verstappen, who was ready to save a brand new set of C5 compound in Q2.

The Dutchman set a 1m23.445s on his first flying lap which he was unable to higher on his second scorching lap in the dying levels of the session.

Having struggled for one-lap tempo all day lengthy, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc delivered an attention grabbing efficiency on his final flying lap, placing his Ferrari in P2, beating his rivals who seemed considerably stronger each in FP3 and in qualifying.

Oscar Piastri delivered when it actually mattered as he set the third quickest time, beating George Russell and his team-mate Lando Norris, who practically put his McLaren into the obstacles on his final push lap in Q3.

AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda was the final driver to set a lap below the 1m24 mark which was sufficient for him to safe P6 on the grid. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s greatest effort was sufficient for P7, adopted by Nico Hulkenberg, who put in a fantastic efficiency to safe the eighth beginning position for Haas.

Having posted encouraging lap occasions earlier in the session, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was unable to sustain with the tempo of his direct rivals and had his greatest lap time deleted which noticed him safe a disappointing P9.

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly managed to progress into Q3, however he couldn’t put a very good lap collectively in the closing levels of qualifying and set solely the tenth-fastest lap, half a second slower than what he managed earlier in Q2.