Written by Tanishka Vashee, Edited by Esmée Koppius
The session started off with threats of showers, however the conditions were relatively dry. Read on as I tell you about the qualifying session for round 16 of 22 at Istanbul, Turkey.
Q1 started off with a queue in the pit lane and a series of spins. Mazepin settled for 20th, Kimi could only manage nineteenth. His teammate Antonio Giovinazzi couldn’t put in a better time either, settling for 18. The Williams duo saw Latifi take 17 while Russell made it to Q2. Talking about Q2 appearance, Mick Schumacher made his first (proper) appearance at Q2, qualifying 14!
Unfortunately, recent Italian Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo didn’t make it to Q2 and could only grasp P16. Sainz, who is expected to start at the back of the grid owing to a penalty, made a short appearance in Q2. Lance took a stroll in the grass but pulled together to make it to Q3. Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel was at the cusp of Q3 but didn’t quite make it. Esteban Ocon will be starting 12th, George Russell 13th, Mick Schumacher 14th and Carlos (provisionally) 15th.
The top 10 shootout started off with Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc being predicted to grab pole position. Hamilton did take pole, but will be awarded a ten place grid penalty due to taking a new ICE. This allows his teammate Bottas to secure pole. Without the penalties in action, it would have been a Mercedes front row lockout, followed by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. A good day for the Alpha Tauri as their drivers Pierre Gasly took fourth and Yuki tenth. Red Bull’s Perez took seventh, Norris eighth and Stroll in ninth.
With the penalties in play, the weather conditions for the weekend, this race at intercity Istanbul park is shaping to be interesting to say the least.