UK Quali: Max pole, McLaren P2, P3

Max Verstappen snatches another pole, this time in UK amid mixed conditions. McLaren boys got P2 and P3 out of nowhere.

Mega Max in UK

Max Verstappen continues with his consistent performance in the UK. He is a driver in the form of his life and driving the fastest car around. But it was not all that simple. Silverstone is not a happy hunting ground for the Red Bulls. Max was able to do good in the practice session but only by a narrow margin. The conditions were changing rapidly, especially in the Q1 session and Max found it tough to get through. Still he pulled off a stunner when it mattered the most, the final lap of Q3.

Sergio Perez meanwhile had another disaster Quali session. With the changing conditions in Q1 he could not get the tires to warm up and end up getting out. He will be starting P15 with Bottas disqualified for the Quali session for not providing sufficient fuel sample. Sergio Perez will have to do another of those damage-control drives.

McLaren resurgence in UK

McLaren had a horrible start to the 2023 season with the team finding it difficult to compete even in the mid-field. Team Principal Andreas Siedl left for Alfa-Romeo and the team seemed to lack direction. But they kept calm and slowly got their upgrades. We saw it last week when there were upgrades only for Lando, that the McLaren can be a competitive car. This weekend both Lando and Oscar got the upgrades and they made the most of it. Lando finished a stunning P2, in fact he was on pole for a few seconds before Max improved in his final Q3 lap. Even rookie Oscar Piastri was not behind and finished P3. This is a home race for McLaren and Lando. They would want to make the most of it on race day.

Ferrari in the middle of nowhere

Ferrari seemed to have got a good car with the upgrades, although not good enough to challenge to Max and Red Bull. They were doing well in the practice sessions. But then the McLarens pipped them out of nowhere. Charles will be starting P4 and Carlos P5. Ferrari would be happy if they can beat the McLarens but it won’t be easy.

Mercedes mediocrity

The upgrades don’t seem to be working that well and Mercedes are not able to launch a fight even after 1.5 years of mediocre performance. Lewis had a spin early in Q1 but saved the car from any damage. Russell finished P6 and Lewis P7. They are optimistic though as according to them they have a better race pace.

The real surprise of the practice sessions was Alex Albon in the Williams. Somehow the slow Williams became a rocket-ship and Albon was in top 3 in all the three practice sessions. However he couldn’t match the practice sessions when it mattered in Quali and will be starting P8 on the grid. Alonso will be starting P9 in his Aston, much below his expectations this year. Pierre Gasly will be starting P10.

UK Grid : Max on Pole, followed by the McLarens