The close duel in Formula 1 between Ferrari and Red Bull also continues at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Charles Leclerc is the fastest in qualifying and starts ahead of world champion Max Verstappen.
Charles Leclerc secures his fourth pole position of the season in Barcelona
Qualifying:
World championship leader Charles Leclerc will start the Formula 1 race in Barcelona from pole position (Sunday 3 p.m. CEST). The 24-year-old Monegasse in his Ferrari pushed world champion Max Verstappen into second place in the Red Bull. Third was Leclerc's Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz jr. The close duel between Leclerc and Verstappen in the World Championship can therefore continue in the sixth race of the season. However, both pilots had slight problems in qualifying. Leclerc spun on his first fast lap in Q3 and missed a good time. In Verstappen's car, on the last fast lap, the rear wing in the DRS zones could no longer be positioned transversely.
Mick Schumacher achieved his best career result so far in the hunt for a starting position in tenth place in the Haas racing car. The 23-year-old Haas driver was very lucky at the end of Q2: Although Lando Norris in the McLaren relegated him to tenth place, Norris went too far off the track on his last fast lap, meaning that his time was not recognized. Schumacher therefore retained his top ten position and was allowed to drive in the final Q3. For Sebastian Vettel, on the other hand, qualifying in the Aston Martin was quickly over. He was 16th and dropped out on the first lap.
Ratings:
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “It was a very difficult session. I had only one more try after my spin at the beginning of Q3. Now I'm happy with pole. That was a very good lap.”
Max Verstappen (Red Bull): “During my last run, the DRS was suddenly missing and I lost power. But it's still a good result to be on the front row. It's going to be very hot in the race. The Track is hard to drive.”
Carlos Sainz jr. (Ferrari): “It was a difficult weekend. The conditions with heat and wind weren't easy. I have a good starting position. The start will be decisive.”
Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin): “We had big problems with balance and oversteer. We tried to get everything out but it was difficult.”
Track info:
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is more familiar to Formula 1 drivers than almost any other circuit. This is where the test drives before the new season traditionally take place. The route therefore has the reputation of being the benchmark for practically all World Championship races. A car that works well in Barcelona should do well just about anywhere else. The approximately 4.7 kilometer long course is varied with a very long start-finish straight, many fast and some very slow corners. It has been driven in Catalonia since 1991. In 1992, the circuit, which is around 30 kilometers inland from Barcelona, also hosted the Olympic team time trial for cyclists. Record winners in Barcelona are Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton with six wins each.