Disaster for Lewis Hamilton in qualifying – Valtteri Bottas also failed in wet weather: “Mysterious feeling”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen left no chance for others. Valtteri Bottas, who kept a good pace in practice, was second last.

Red Bull Max Verstappen overwhelmingly drove to the pole in his home race at the Zandvoort track in Holland. Verstappen beat McLaren Lando Norris by more than half a second.

Mercedes George Russell was third ahead of the surprise of the day, Williams Alex Albonia. Sergio Perez was only seventh. He was more than 1.3 seconds behind his teammate Verstappen.

– This was a very difficult time trial. The track surface is quite slippery due to the new asphalt. The track only had one dry line in some places, so we had to take a bit of a risk. The last lap was very enjoyable, Verstappen described.

Norris, on the other hand, considered the result good considering the conditions.

– Every now and then you wish that Max would make a mistake, but he doesn’t. So it’s kind of frustrating. However, I am very happy. The team did a good job, Norris stated.

– The race will be interesting. Max will definitely get a Sunday ride and wave to the crowd, but hopefully we can have a good fight with Alex, Lando and others, Russell said.

Bottas wondered about the lack of pace

The time trial also offered surprises, as the seven-time world champion, Mercedes Lewis Hamilton was only 13. Hamilton is often known as a good driver in wet conditions, but this time the Briton did not reach the last section.

With Valtteri Bottas had driven in the top ten in the second and third practices, but the time trial was the Finn’s fate. Bottas was already behind in the opening section and was second to last before the AlphaTauri was ordered to the wheel with a quick alarm Liam Lawson.

Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo, who broke his wrist during practice on Friday. Ricciardo is expected to be sidelined for a long time.

– Mysterious feeling. We didn’t really go out to change the car, because the pace in practice felt like we were in the top ten. I didn’t have the speed compared to the others and I don’t know why, Bottas lamented on Viaplay.

The weather conditions caused a lot of headaches for Bottas and the other drivers. There was a drizzle of water before and during the time trials, and there was also traffic jams on the short track.

– The conditions changed quite a lot in each round. The track lived and improved all the time, but it was the same in practice, Bottas acknowledged.

Outdoor rides in difficult conditions

At the end of the opening section, the rain stopped and, for example, Ferrari Charles Leclerc was very close to qualifying. Alfa Romeo also has enough to think about, whether Bottas was allowed to drive the last lap too late.

The track dried out as qualifying progressed and in the last section we already saw the normal, softer tire compound. of Williams Logan Sargeant however, drove out when he lost traction on a wetter part of the track. A moment later, Leclerc also drove into the wall, but in his case it was a bigger driving mistake.

The time trial is very important at the Zandvoort track. Overtaking on a winding and narrower track is very challenging. A wider section is only available on the starting straight, where you can get past by opening the rear wing.

Consequently, the pole position of Verstappen, who is driving a superior season, can prove to play a significant role in the competition as well.