LANCE STROLL will start the Turkish Grand Prix on pole after a superb drive on a sopping wet Instanbul circuit.
The Mercedes drivers both struggled in the terrible conditions and Lewis Hamilton will start sixth on the grid after an action-packed qualifying session.
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports F1/NOW TV
- Grid positions: 1st Stroll 2nd Verstappen 3rd Perez 4th Albon
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
TURKISH DELIGHT
F1 QUALIFYING RESULTS
STROLL IN THE PARK
MERCEDES PRAISE
MAX POWER
Max Verstappen has spoken of his disappointment at missing out on pole.
He said: “Already in Q1 when we tried to go out on the inters we had no grip.
“The track was a lot better in Q3 but for us the inters were horrible.
“The extreme tyres were good and was very comfortable. Not good.
“I’m a bit disappointed, of course. In the race tomorrow we can do well but when you’re first all the time and then you come second it’s not what you want.”
MORE FROM STROLL
“I’m shocked. We didn’t look to competitive in final practice but I’m so happy right now, I really put that lap together at the end, I only had one lap to do it on the inters.
“I had the confidence in the car and I just nailed pretty much every corner, pieced it together nicely and such a nice way to bounce back after a few tough weeks.
“To put it on pole is a special moment for me, one of the biggest of my career.”
STROLL SPEAKS
On pole for the first time, you can see the beaming smile even behind the face mask.
“I can’t really put it into words right now, I’m shocked!
“It’s one of the biggest highlights of my career for sure, we dream about these moments growing up and it’s pretty special!”
SHOCK GRID
What a qualifying session – if the race tomorrow is half as good, we’re in for a treat.
SOME RESULT FOR STROLL
He has been under fire of late for some poor results, but he pulled that out of the bag.
AND NOW STROLL
Unbelievable finish as Stroll takes pole position.
Max Verstappen is in P2.
Perez in P3.
Hamilton is down in 6th place – Bottas in P9.
PEREZ IS LOOKING GOOD FOR POLE HERE
But Hamilton is down in 8th
THREE MINUTES TO GO
It is Perez, Verstappen, Raikkonen, Stroll, Ricciardo, Bottas, Albon, Hamilton, Giovinazzi, Ocon.
SWAPPING FOR INTERMEDIATES
With the track drying, there is a flurry of action in the pitlane as Merc and Red Bull pit their drivers for the quicker intermediate tyres.
Still too damp for slicks.
ALL DRIVERS ON WETS
Apart from Ocon and Ricciardo. The two Renault boys are trying their luck on the intermediate tyres.
Q3 IS GO
Looks like we will get this session done after all. Results all pending investigations into the lap times set in Q1 under yellow flags.
But, let’s say this is the shoot out for the top 10 nonetheless.
Can Verstappen take pole ahead of Hamilton?
FLAG IS OUT
And those drivers eliminated are Gasly, Leclerc, Sainz, Vettel and Norris.
The two Alfa Romeos of Raikkonen and Giovinazzi are through to the top 10.
UNDER THREE MINUTES TO GO
In the drop zone are – Sainz, Gasly, Vettel, Leclerc, Norris.
RIDICULOUSNESS OUT OF THE WAY
The flags have gone and qualifying resumes at full speed.
Verstappen again goes quickest, Raikkonen in P2.
But these times will now drop as the rain has stopped and the track starts clearing up.
Q2 IS GO
But under yellow flags in sector 2 as marshals removed Latifi’s beached Williams. That seems very strange and illogical.
Not too sure what is going on in Race Control today.
ELIMINATED FROM Q1
Latifi, Grosjean, Russell, Kvyat, Magnussen.
THAT WAS CLOSE FOR THE CHAMP
And it might not be over yet.
Kevin Magnussen is quizzing how the other drivers improved their times when there were yellow flags.
He has a point.
CHEQUERED FLAG IS OUT
Verstappen sets the benchmark. A brave lap of 1:57.485 in these terrible conditions. He will be safe with that.
Hamilton cut that fine as he aborted his final lap and ends the session in 14th place.
IN THE DROP ZONE ARE
Latifi, Russell, Gasly and Leclerc. Verstappen is only in P15.
Q1 IS GO….AGAIN Pt2
A little over 2 minutes to go. Grosjean is out but who are the other four drivers who will be eliminated at the first hurdle?
RED FLAG
Grosjean spins, is stuck in gravel and the session is stopped.
This is turning into a real nightmare.
Leclerc also has an off in the gravel but bumps his Ferrari forward to get back on track.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
