Russell got pole position after odd end of Qualifying at Red Bull ring

Q1

The Cadillacs were first on the track and first fast time was set by Esteban Ocon. With 12 minutes remaining, many cars returned into the pits after they set their first fast times. After four minutes all cars attempted other fast laps, Kimi Antonelli got on the top with Norris, Hamilton and the Red Bulls behind.

With three minutes left the drivers got on the track for last Q1 runs. Alexander Albon couldn’t improve his time, while Esteban Ocon and Franco Colapinto got out of the elimination zone. Surprise of this Qualifying part was Liam Lawson, who finished on the fourth place.

Eliminated in Q1: Carlos Sainz, Alexander Albon, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll.

Q2

Lando Norris got on the track first and his time was 1:07:321 seconds. He damaged his floor in Q1 so the mechanics sent him to test it on track. As other cars attempted fast laps, Antonelli, Piastri, Leclerc and Hamilton lined up in front.

With six minutes remaining all cars went into the boxes except for George Russell who was on the track as his previous lap time was deleted because of a mistake. His attempt put him on the fourth place.

Both Racing Bulls got out of the elimination zone. Gabriel Bortoleto couldn’t improve his time and finished 12^th. Max Verstappen finished this part tenth, only 0. 04 second ahead of 11^th Pierre Gasly.

Eliminated in Q2: Pierre Gasly, Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon, Franco Colapinto. 

Q3

Verstappen set good flying lap, later beaten by Antonelli and Russell. Lewis Hamilton wasn’t happy with his first attempt, his time even got deleted and with four minutes left he didn’t have any time set. His first fast lap put him on a provisional pole, his teammate Charles Leclerc was faster.

Verstappen crashed in his last fast lap, caused a Yellow Flag and the session ended earlier. George Russell finished his last attempt under Yellow Flag and got on a pole position. His first place was later confirmed as the stewards stopped investigating a potential Yellow Flag infringement.

Qualifying results: 

1st – George Russell (Mercedes)
2nd – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.236
3rd – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.295
4th – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.301
5th – Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – +0.362
6th – Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.389
7th – Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.398
8th – Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing) – +0.519
9th – Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – +0.842
10th – Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – +0.894
11th – Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +1.110
12th – Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – +1.180
13th – Oliver Bearman (Haas F1 Team) – +1.410
14th – Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – +1.498
15th – Esteban Ocon (Haas F1 Team) – +1.704
16th – Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +2.058
17th – Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +2.139
18th – Alexander Albon (Williams) – +2.396
19th – Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – +2.832
20th – Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – +2.917
21st – Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +3.829
22nd – Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +4.250