Q2 – Norris makes a transfer, tyre methods differ
After a brief break, drivers queued up on the finish of the pit lane as soon as extra for the beginning of Q2, which noticed Leclerc, Albon, Hamilton, Sainz and Russell attempt one thing totally different by transferring over to the yellow-marked medium compound tyre Alpine had sampled in Q1.
Mushy-shod Norris was the early pace-setter on a 1m 10.959s, placing him marginally in entrance of Verstappen, Leclerc and Albon, however Russell’s hopes of becoming a member of them had been dashed when he misplaced energy, floor to a halt within the tunnel and triggered one other crimson flag.
With Russell’s automotive cleared and the session again beneath manner, drivers had round eight minutes to get some extra laps in – Albon, Alonso and Sainz urgent on with the mediums, whereas Ferrari pair Leclerc and Hamilton switched to softs and jumped to the entrance.
One other mad sprint to the flag noticed Norris come out on high through a 1m 10.570s, from Leclerc, Albon (who switched to softs late on), Piastri, Verstappen and Hamilton, whereas each Racing Bulls, Alonso (who caught with these mediums) and an ecstatic Ocon additionally progressed.
Like Albon, Sainz took on softs for his last run however couldn’t enhance, lamenting that he had “no grip” with the red-marked tyre en path to P11, adopted by one other dissatisfied Q2 eliminee in Tsunoda, Hulkenberg and the sidelined Mercedes drivers.
Knocked out: Sainz, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Russell, Antonelli
