Spain GP Qualifying Report

Going into Qualifying in Barcelona, Piastri had won Free Practice.  After the first round of quick laps in the first session, he was the quickest, ahead of Verstappen and Norris.  Then the drivers queued up in the pit lane for the shoot out at the end.  Colapinto had a problem at the front and couldn't get going; finally Sainz decided to undertake him, which was permitted and it took the other drivers behind them a while to get round and going.  Sainz was knocked out by Ocon in the Haas in the last few seconds, he in turn was knocked out by his rookie team mate who went through in 11th.  Piastri remained quickest.  His old team mate Hulkenberg was also knocked out by his rookie team mate Bortoleto.   So it was Hulkenberg, Ocon, Sainz, Colapinto and Tsunoda out.  For the Red Bull to be last in Qualifying will raise huge questions.

The track did not seem to be improving as the second session progressed.  Williams did not seem to have the same speed as they showed as the last couple of races.  Out went Albon, Bortoleto, Lawson, Stroll and Bearman.  Hadjar put in another great lap for 6th.  Piastri was fastest, with Norris ahead of Verstappen this time.

It looked briefly like Norris might take pole position.  He set the fastest time after the first round of laps, stealing a tow from his team mate.  Positions were reversed for the final laps and Norris pushed hard, perhaps too hard and behind him Piastri put in purple sectors every time he crossed the timing lines.  It finished Piastri, Norris, Verstappen, Russell, Hamilton, Antonelli, LeClerc, Gasly, Hadjar and Alonso.  The Spaniard was very pleased with his lap and whooped as he came in, waving to the crowd.

The most annoying thing about this part of the event?  The contact talk of the "TD" or Technical Directive - I don't think this needs an abb.