Lando Norris Takes Spanish GP Pole by 0.020s from Verstappen

In a dramatic turn of events at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Lando Norris secured pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen by a mere 0.020 seconds. This thrilling qualifying session, held on June 22, 2024, sets the stage for an exciting race day.

The qualifying session was marked by unpredictable weather, challenging the drivers with changing conditions. Norris, driving for McLaren, clocked in at 1:12.272, just beating Verstappen’s time. Verstappen, who had initially seemed unbeatable, was forced to abort his final lap, unable to surpass Norris’s time.

• Lando Norris (McLaren): 1:12.272
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull): +0.020s
• Carlos Sainz (Ferrari): Qualified third, benefitting from a well-timed final lap.
• Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): Fourth after Pierre Gasly’s demotion for impeding other cars.
• Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): Fifth, out-qualifying his teammate Fernando Alonso who finished ninth.

Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate, had a promising start but made an error on his final lap, relegating him to ninth. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly, initially fourth, was demoted six places due to penalties for impeding other drivers​.

• George Russell and Sergio Perez: Both were eliminated in Q2. Russell collided with teammate Lewis Hamilton, causing damage to Hamilton’s front wing and resulting in a formal warning but no grid penalty for Russell. Perez, struggling with tire temperatures, spun into the gravel, securing only 12th place.
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): Shockingly exited in Q1, finishing 19th due to balance issues and a red flag triggered by Valtteri Bottas’ spin.

Race Day Information:

• Date: Sunday, June 23, 2024
• Start Time: 3:00 PM local time / 2:00 PM BST
• Laps: 66 laps covering a total distance of 307.236 km
• Weather Forecast: Overcast with a 50% chance of rain at the start, decreasing throughout the race. Temperatures will be around 21°C with moderate wind.

How to Watch:

• Live Coverage (UK): Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event, with pre-race coverage starting at 12:30 PM BST.
• Streaming: Available on NOW TV with a day pass for £11.99 or a month membership for £34.99.
• Highlights: Channel 4 at 6:30 PM BST, available on demand after the broadcast.
• Radio: Live coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds app starting at 2:00 PM BST.

This weekend’s race is crucial for the championship standings, with Verstappen currently leading by 39 points. The mixed weather conditions add another layer of complexity, promising an unpredictable and thrilling Spanish Grand Prix​.