Q2 – Piastri quickest, Perez knocked out
Norris picked up the place he left off in Q1 by posting a 1m 30.007s within the early levels of Q2, a number of tenths up on Leclerc and group mate Piastri, whereas Hamilton, Perez and Verstappen – the latter experiencing a wild second on the closing nook – all had lap occasions deleted.
Hamilton made up for it subsequent time round, breaking the 1m30s mark on a 1m 29.929s, with Russell going third to place Norris in a Mercedes sandwich – the Silver Arrows showing to come back alive regardless of additional complaints from Russell over the radio.
Hulkenberg was up in sixth at this level, from Tsunoda, Sainz, Perez and Magnussen, leaving Alonso, Albon (who was one other to complain about grip ranges disappearing), Colapinto, Ocon and Verstappen within the drop zone forward of the decisive second runs.
Verstappen after which Piastri – on a 1m 29.640s – moved to the fore when the Q2 climax approached, putting forward of Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris and Sainz, as Hulkenberg, Russell, Tsunoda and Alonso in the end secured the ultimate spots within the pole place shootout.
It meant one other painful, early qualifying exit for Perez, who struggled to P13 behind Albon and Colapinto, with Magnussen 14th on his return to motion – having been hit with a ban for final weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – and Ocon finishing the Q2 order.
Knocked out: Albon, Colapinto, Perez, Magnussen, Ocon
