Lando Norris produced a sensational final lap to defeat Max Verstappen and secure just his second Formula 1 pole position in a thrillingly competitive Spanish GP qualifying.
In a session that underlined McLaren’s growing strength and the ever-increasing competition at the front of F1 after two seasons of sustained Verstappen-Red Bull dominance, Norris delivered under pressure when it mattered around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with what he described as a “perfect” final lap of 1:11.383.
Verstappen had held provisional pole after the first Q3 laps and improved by two tenths more on his final attempt, but Norris made the difference seconds later to claim his second career pole for a full grand prix – three years on from his first at the 2021 Russian GP – by a mere 0.020s.
Mercedes will start from a second-row lockout after their own improvement continued in a competitive hour when they were a factor throughout.
For just the second time in 10 races this season, Lewis Hamilton out-qualified team-mate George Russell and will start a season-best third.
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Mercedes outpaced Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc and home favourite Carlos Sainz to start fifth and sixth respectively.
Incredibly, just 0.035s separated those four cars.
Pierre Gasly was a stunning seventh on a morale-boosting weekend for Alpine, which also saw Esteban Ocon make Q3 in ninth.
Sergio Perez, who gave Verstappen a tow on his final lap down the track’s main straight in an attempt to aid his team-mate’s bid for pole, was only eighth and will drop to 11th on Sunday’s grid owing to a three-place penalty carried over from Canada.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Spanish GP schedule
Sunday June 23
7.45am: F1 Academy Race 2
9am: F3 Feature Race
10.30am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Spanish GP build-up
2pm: The SPANISH GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Spanish GP reaction
Formula 1 heads back to Europe as the championship moves on to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix and the start of a triple-header. Watch every session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
