The Spanish Grand Prix qualifying session of 2023 was a spectacle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. While Max Verstappen appeared to keep control throughout the session, that hasn't taken away from the excitement.
It was a seemingly dramatic opening to the qualifying session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the session was red-flagged in its begging stages. It was, however, only due to gravel on the track brought on by Alex Albon in the Williams and a spinning Valtteri Bottas.
Charles Leclerc’s fastest time was insufficient for progression to Q2. As the clock ticked down and the final seconds counted, Leclerc watched helplessly as he tumbled down the order to 19th place as the majority of the grid improved their lap in the last moments. The Monegasque who finished his home GP in 6th last weekend will be starting tomorrow’s grand prix from the last row, sandwiched between the two Williams cars.
Q2 brought an exciting session as we said goodbye to the Red Bull of Checo Perez who will be starting from the 11th tomorrow, followed by Mercedes’ George Russel who got close and personal with his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, almost coming together. They were both desperate to be in front at turn one, resulting in Russell coming across Hamilton. The seven-time world champion has, however, managed to get onto Q3.
Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton have had a promising qualifying this Saturday, looking as if they both had their chance to be on pole position or at least the front row. However, the freak of nature that is Max Verstappen has once again taken it away, comfortably. He will be accompanied on the front row by the Spaniard of Scuderia Ferrari, Carlos Sainz. The second half of “Carlando”, Lando Norris will be starting from third followed by Gasly, Hamilton, Stroll, and Ocon. Nico Hülkenberg has made the Q3 for the first time in Barcelona and will be starting from 8th. The home hero, Fernando Alonso only managed to qualify 9th, in front of Oscar Piastri in 10th.
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