Russian GP: Norris secures first F1 pole after Hamilton’s pit lane crash

McLaren’s Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 pole on Saturday in a rain-affected qualifying at the Russian Grand Prix. Following him were former teammate and now Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and 2022 Mercedes signee George Russell. 

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton failed to capitalise on title rival Max Verstappen’s engine penalty as he will start fourth on Sunday. The Britton crashed in the pit lane mid-way through the final sessions and then spun on his final lap. 

The qualifying at Sochi saw heavy spells of rain, leaving the track damp. Hamilton, in what seemed like a gamble, took on the soft tyres at the end of Q3. He hit the wall when driving slowly through the pits, and broke his front wing. Mercedes did repair his car but Hamilton could not beat Norris’ time in the one lap he had left. 

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“It feels amazing,” said Norris. McLaren had seen both their drivers Norris and Aussie Daniel Riccardo on the podium at the Italian GP. 

What came as a massive surprise was George Russell, Saturday man, displaying some serious racing to beat his future teammate Lewis Hamilton. 

“Twice in the wall… that’s very rare for me,” said Hamilton. “I’m really sorry to all the team because that’s not what you expect from a champion.”

However, he still holds a 16-place advantage over arch-rival Max Verstappen. 

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Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas will start seventh as Monza winner Daniel Ricciardo finished fifth in the other McLaren ahead of Fernando Alonso. In the absence of Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez finished at ninth. 

Russian GP: Qualifying top-10 result

1) Lando Norris, McLaren

2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

3) George Russell, Williams

4) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

5) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

6) Fernando Alonso, Alpine

7) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

8) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin

9) Sergio Perez, Red Bull

10) Esteban Ocon, Alpine