Max Verstappen will start tomorrow’s race from pole position at the Red Bull Ring after a cracking qualifying session for the Dutchman.
Valtteri Bottas finished in second on the timesheet but with his three-place grid penalty for dangerous pitlane driving on Friday, he will drop to fifth for lights out.
Lewis Hamilton, who was due to be in P3 for tomorrow’s battle, will therefore start from P2, while Lando Norris will be lifted from 4th to 3rd and will be joined on the second row by the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez in fourth due to the reshuffle.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the session, Verstappen said; “It has been a very good weekend.
“Again in qualifying the car was really good to drive. It’s not easy to deal with the traffic in the last few corners to get a clean run, but that first lap in Q3 was good enough in the end. A good first sector.
“Super happy to be on pole here at home. It’s always nice to see a Red Bull car first here.”
And of the race, Verstappen: “I’m sure again tomorrow it will be very tight. Hopefully as interesting as in France.”
Meanwhile, a disappointed Lewis Hamilton said;
“Well done to Max. They have been so fast this weekend.
“I’ve been giving it absolutely everything, not the greatest of second [runs], but nonetheless it’s still on the front row after the penalty.
“We go into the race tomorrow for a fight.”
