Q2 – Norris lays down a marker
After a short break, the remaining 15 drivers returned to the track and kicked off their efforts to reach the pole position shootout. Norris stated his intentions from the outset by pumping in a 1m 30.787s – around half a second clear of team mate Piastri.
Verstappen moved into a solid third, from Russell, Tsunoda and Antonelli, while the Ferraris of Hamilton and Leclerc were slightly lower down the order in P7 and P8 – sandwiching Albon’s Williams – and Hulkenberg held the final, coveted Q3 position.
That meant Stroll, Ocon, Hadjar, Alonso and Sainz were the drivers at risk as another round of non-stop improvements ensued – even if there was some drama for Antonelli, who reported over the radio that “the magic is stuck” on his steering wheel, referring to Mercedes’ brake bias system.
As per Verstappen in Q1, Norris watched on from the pits after his blistering early time, with both of those drivers again safely making it through alongside Piastri, the still rapid Racing Bulls of Hadjar and Tsunoda, Russell and Ferrari duo Leclerc and Hamilton.
Antonelli progressed in P9 despite his “magic” issue and a moment through the sweeping first turn, with Albon the last to reach Q3 in P10 – denying Ocon, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Stroll and team mate Sainz, who is steadily adjusting to his new surroundings.
Knocked out: Ocon, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Stroll, Sainz
