Carlos Sainz edged out Max Verstappen to claim the first pole position of his Formula One career for Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
In the rain at Silverstone, Ferrari’s Sainz excelled to see off world champion Verstappen by just 0.072 seconds, with Charles Leclerc third in the other scarlet car in a thrilling qualifying session.
Sergio Perez took fourth, with Lewis Hamilton a full second back in fifth – one spot ahead of compatriot Lando Norris, who was sixth for McLaren. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell finished eighth.
“Thanks everyone for staying out there in this rain,” said Sainz. “Spaniards struggle with the rain, but you guys are used to it.
“I put together a lap, I did not think it was something special, but it was pole position and that came as a bit of a surprise.
“The pace has been there all weekend, but if I base myself on my practice pace, we should be in a good position to hold on to first.”
Verstappen, who was booed by the partisan British fans, said: “I got a bit hindered with my final lap, but to be on the front row is good for us and we have a good race car.
“It is not only about the first lap, but I am looking forward to tomorrow.”
Verstappen’s race here last year ended with a visit to hospital in Coventry after he suffered concussion following his dramatic opening-lap collision with Hamilton.
The championship leader, who made two mistakes in Q3, still looked on course to take pole only for Sainz to beat him to first position in his 150th F1 race.
Hamilton, in his revamped Mercedes machine, might have hoped for more in the changeable conditions, but the British driver will start behind both Ferraris and both Red Bulls at his home event.
The umbrellas emerged just 10 minutes before qualifying was due to start, and while the rain eased in Q1, it returned with a vengeance midway through Q2.
“Can’t see s***,” said Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, who finished 12th. Nicholas Latifi took advantage of the inclement conditions to put his Williams in Q3. He will start 10th.
Aston Martin are in the midst of a rotten run, and both green machines slumped to another poor result.
Lance Stroll will line up 20th and last for Sunday’s race, with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel two places ahead of him on the grid.
Stroll, the 23-year-old son of the team’s fashion billionaire father, finished seven tenths adrift of anybody else, and eight tenths behind team-mate Vettel.
“Oh no, not again,” said Vettel when told he had failed to progress to Q2 for the second time in as many races.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here