Recap on all the key moments as Carlos Sainz claimed his first pole position in Formula 1 during a wet British Grand Prix qualifying.
For much of the rain-affected session it looked like Max Verstappen was going to be on pole at Silverstone, but Sainz rose to the summit when it mattered at the end of Q3, becoming the 104th driver to take pole in a World Championship grand prix.
A heavy rain shower descended on Silverstone shortly before the start of Q1, creating a scramble out of the pit lane as drivers looked to get a time in on the intermediate tyres before the conditions potentially worsened.
The rain would though move on come the halfway point of Q1, sparking improvements across the grid as the standing water began to clear and the track gripped up.
Verstappen comfortably set the pace, while the drivers eliminated were Williams’ Alex Albon, the Haas duo of Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher and the Aston Martin pair of Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll.
The rain set in again as the light went green for Q2 and as it intensified, the pressure grew on Sainz who had not yet pumped a lap in good enough for Q3. He quickly allayed those fears though with a P4-worthy time.
With track conditions not allowing for any late improvements, the drivers eliminated were AlphaTauri pair Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon in the Alpine.
Nicholas Latifi, sporting the Williams FW44 without upgrades, made it into Q3.
Another lull in the rain arrived in time for the start of Q3, so Charles Leclerc and Sainz in the Ferraris got themselves to the front of the pit-lane queue as they looked to seize the opportunity.
Verstappen struggled to get his Red Bull into position to start his flying lap, battling to keep the rear end of the RB18 in check as he approached the line.
A spin on that opening push lap meant Verstappen had to go again, with that next attempt also featuring a trip over the run-off despite going P2.
No such issues on the following tour, 1.8 seconds found and provisional pole for Verstappen.
The track continued to improve as the Ferraris traded provisional pole, though Verstappen snatched that back with one more lap available.
Leclerc’s last attempt ended in a spin, but Sainz’s resulted in pole position with Verstappen unable to respond! The first pole of Sainz’s Ferrari and Formula 1 career.
Q3 results:
1 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:40.983
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull 0.072s
3 Charles…
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