Sochi Quali: Lando Pole, Carlos and George P2, P3

F1 Sochi GP: Lando claims first F1 pole in crazy qualifying, Hamilton fourth

Lando Norris claimed a sensational maiden pole position in Formula 1 as Lewis Hamilton could only qualify fourth at the Sochi Grand Prix.

Conditions dramatically improved as qualifying went on and the track dried out. So this lead to a late stampede to switch from intermediate tyres to slicks in a dramatic conclusion to Q3.

The conditions enabled McLaren’s Norris to take a shock first-ever pole in F1. He took advantage of the crossover from wet to dry to pump in a 1m41.993s to snatch the Pole.

Norris outpaced Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Williams driver George Russell, both of whom starred in the changeable conditions, while championship contender Hamilton made an uncharacteristic error that left him only fourth.

Hamilton hits the wall

During the rush to switch onto slicks, Hamilton hit the wall when entering the pitlane. Mercedes had to change the front wing because of the crash.

That meant Hamilton missed out on crucial preparation laps and only had one flying lap on slicks before the session ended. On his final lap, the seven-time world champion spun and failed to improve.

Hamilton had been on course to take pole in the wet. His lap time that was good enough for provisional pole during the first runs of Q3.

But Hamilton and Mercedes will be left feeling they missed an open goal to capitalise on championship leader Max Verstappen, who is starting from the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty.

Hamilton’s intermediate time was good enough to outpace Daniel Ricciardo’s soft-shod effort as he put his McLaren fifth.

Valtteri Bottas was hampered by a slow pit stop to change onto slicks due to Hamilton’s issue. The Finn was unable to improve on his sole flying lap on Pirelli’s fastest tyre, leaving him seventh.

Stroll, Perez and Ocon completed the rest of the top 10.

Vettel narrowly missed Q3 by 5-hundreths of a second.

Bad day for Gasly

Pierre Gasly failed to replicate his promising practice pace in the wet and could only take 12th. He was very disappointed and put the blame on the team for a bad strategy.

It marked just the third time this season the Frenchman has not made it into the top-10 shootout in qualifying. Yuki Tsunoda got within a tenth of his teammate’s effort on his way to 13th.

After making it into Q2 for the fourth time this season, Nicholas Latifi elected to sit out Q2. It was confirmed the Williams driver has taken on a new power unit.

As a result, the Canadian will join Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Verstappen at the back of the grid.

On his return to F1 action after missing the previous two races with COVID-19, Kimi Raikkonen failed to progress from Q1 as he finished 16th.

Haas rookie Mick Schumacher produced a strong lap to outqualify Antonio Giovinazzi.

Home favourite Nikita Mazepin was the slowest of the 19 drivers who set times.

Sochi Quali starting grid : Lando on Pole