Result of the sprint qualifying for the 2024 Austrian GP

Max Verstappen seemed to be in serious trouble during free practice earlier today. His Red Bull RB20 suddenly gave up the ghost and came to a standstill on the straight. Christian Horner has since explained that there was a problem with a sensor. After a quick reset, the problem was fixed and Verstappen lost very little time. Now the Dutch driver must be ready to drive on the limit. Welcome to the sprint qualification for the 2024 Austrian GP.

Now that we are mentioning Horner, first a juicy story from the paddock. Christian Horner has personally ensured that Jos Verstappen does not drive an old Red Bull F1 car this weekend. According to Jos Verstappen, Horner did not want Verstappen senior’s runs to be filmed. Dad-Verstappen is so upset about this that he no longer wants to get in. In the meantime, Horner used this discussion to respond to the Verstappen-Mercedes saga. Horner said: lIf Wolff wants a Verstappen, Jos is available.

SQ1

The drivers have twelve minutes per qualifying part to get the shortest possible lap time on the boards. During the first two parts, the drivers are only allowed one set medium and in the last part only one set of soft tires. Each team opts to set two fast laps.

Max Verstappen is the fastest, just like in the practice session. Russell, Sainz and Norris are within 0.1 seconds of the fastest man. Lewis Hamilton gets away with a good fourteenth place. Tsunoda has a big moment in his last lap. He hits the gravel in turn 9, spins 180 degrees, catches the drift and manages to stay outside the wall. Hands can also be applauded for Logan Sargeant. For the first time, he is faster than Albon in a qualifying session.

SQ2

Let’s do that again, but with the remaining fifteen drivers. This sprint qualification gives us a good idea of the balance in Austria. Verstappen makes the difference in the last sector in particular. This part of the track consists of two lightning-fast corners. The Red Bull is doing well there.

Kevin Magnussen has clearly set his car up for straight-line speed. He is the fastest in the first sector (which consists of a straight, a right turn and another straight). However, that is not enough to advance to the next part. Stroll, Alonso, Tsunoda and Sargeant also drop out. And lo and behold: once again both Alpine drivers advance to the final part of qualifying. Come on Blues!

SQ3

The final sprint qualifying is filled with only one push lap per driver. Until the last moment the cars stay inside, because the soft tyre does not last many more fast laps. With two minutes and fifty seconds to go, the McLarens, Mercedes and come out, but the rest stay.

Leclerc wants to go out, but has a problem. He is holding up other cars in the pit lane. Fortunately for the other cars, there is just enough time left to set a lap time, but not Leclerc. Of the cars that did cross the finish line on time, Max Verstappen is the fastest.

Norris is still 0.093 seconds off the fastest time, but Piastri in P3 already has to give in three tenths. There is another personal victory for Sergio Pérez. He starts the sprint race tomorrow ahead of both Alpines. The bad thing: he is 1.3 seconds slower than Verstappen in the same car.