Lando Norris delivered a masterful performance to claim pole position for tomorrow's Austrian Grand Prix, setting a blistering lap time of 1:03.971 seconds at the Red Bull Ring.
The McLaren driver's exceptional qualifying effort saw him edge out Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who will line up alongside him on the front row.
Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri secured third place on the grid, though the Australian was denied the opportunity to challenge for pole after a spin for Pierre Gasly caused a yellow flag at the start of his lap.
Max Verstappen will start from seventh position after being caught up in the same yellow flag as Piastri.
Lando Norris took a commanding pole on Saturday at the Red Bull Ring
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Speaking after securing pole position, Norris expressed his satisfaction with the performance. "It was a good lap, that's for sure. I guess it was just by little bit by little. I knew there were a few places that if I could just get it right, I still had quite a bit more time - and I did exactly that," he said.
"I did what I planned to do and when I plan to do something and it goes right, it normally goes very, very well. Very happy, a good day and it's been a good weekend for me so far."
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Norris acknowledged the significance of being back on pole but also the championship battle ahead. "It's a long season, I savour this moment, especially because this has been some of my tougher moments in quali. So to put a lap in like today, and performance like this weekend like I have, was pleasing for myself."
Alpine's Pierre Gasly caused havoc in the dying moments of qualifying when he spun at the final corner, triggering yellow flags that would prove costly for several drivers.
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Charles Leclerc lines up on the front row for the first time since Monaco
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Verstappen was left frustrated as he was coming to the end of his lap and saw the waved yellow flags, coming onto the team radio to say "nice" sarcastically as he lifted off. The Dutchman had been struggling all session telling his team in Q2:
"The car is completely undriveable. I have no grip. It's even worse than before."
"I really don't know what to say, like, I have no grip low speed, medium speed, high speed."
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Leclerc expressed delight at Ferrari's return to the sharp end of the grid. "I am very pleased. It's been a long time since, I think it was Monaco the last time we started on the front row," the Monégasque driver said.
The Ferrari driver credited recent upgrades for the team's improved competitiveness. "It's been a difficult season overall but the team have kept pushing, we've brought some new parts this weekend, which for sure made a difference."
Oscar Piastri was forced to bail on his final lap
ReutersDespite missing out on a front-row opportunity, Piastri remained defiant about his prospects for the race. "Our pace this weekend has looked very strong. The Ferrari pace looked good as well, which was a bit of a surprise, but I think we've still got some opportunities tomorrow," he stated.
The Australian made his intentions clear regarding Sunday's race. "I'm not planning on finishing third, that's for sure."
Norris will be looking to gain back points on Oscar Piastri on Sunday as he currently sits 22 points behind his Australian teammate.
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