Stroll snatches maiden F1 pole in thrilling wet Turkish GP qualifying
Racing Point’s Lance Stroll claimed an incredible maiden pole position in Formula 1 in a topsy-turvy, thrilling wet qualifying for the Turkish Grand Prix.
A decision to switch onto Intermediate tyres proved to be a masterstroke from Racing Point as conditions improved in Q3, with Stroll managing a stunning lap on a 1m47.765 to claim the first pole of his F1 career.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen looked set to claim the first-non Mercedes pole of the season after dominating practice and qualifying - which took place in treacherous conditions - but the Dutchman struggled to maintain his superior pace when he changed from the extreme wet weather compounds.
Sergio Perez held provisional pole position after the opening runs of Q3 but ultimately ended up third ahead of Alex Albon and Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo, while qualifying proved to be a disaster for Mercedes.
Both Mercedes drivers struggled with tyre warm up as Lewis Hamilton, who can clinch a record-equallifing seventh world title this weekend, only managed sixth place, some five seconds down on Stroll’s benchmark
Esteban Ocon ensured both Renaults made it into Q3 on his way to taking eighth, ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen, who remarkably outpaced Valtteri Bottas who ended up a lowly ninth.
Antonio Giovinazzi completed the top 10 as Alfa Romeo got both its cars into Q3 for the first time this season on a weekend Sauber celebrates its 500th Grand Prix in Turkey.
There was disappointment for McLaren as neither Lando Norris or Carlos Sainz made it into Q3, with Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari splitting the pair in 12th.
Despite some promising pace throughout practice, Charles Leclerc could only take 14th as both Ferrari drivers were eliminated, ahead of the lead AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly who struggled for grip on his way to finishing 15th.
Kevin Magnussen was the first driver who failed to progress into Q2 in his Haas and was left furious after he backed out of his final flying lap for double-waved yellows while others improved their times.
Daniil Kvyat was left to rue a late spin at Turn 2 which prevented any improvement from the AlphaTauri driver who will line up from 17th.
Behind Kvyat came George Russell in 18th but the Williams driver will start Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix from last after his grid drop for exceeding his engine allocation for the season is applied.
Romain Grosjean caused a second red-flag after just three minutes of green-flag running following the restart from the first red flag which was thrown with heavy rain falling.
The Frenchman beached his Haas at Turn 1 but was still faster than Nicholas Latifi, who also stranded his Williams car in the gravel with an off in the middle sector on his final flying effort.
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