Lewis Hamilton has managed his first pole position this Saturday at the Formula 1, Grand Prix of France, since 2008. His 75th, by the way.
Lewis Hamilton has managed his first pole position this Saturday at the Grand Prix of France, since 2008. His 75th, by the way. A superb performance for the Brit, which shows, if it still needed, how effective it is on the route of Paul Ricard. Behind, Grosjean is 10th despite an accident, while Charles Leclerc impresses!
The rain put the paddock in turmoil this afternoon. A downpour, heavy, during free practice 3, which upset the programs. A situation not catastrophic, but always unpleasant. The weather conditions do not provide rain by the end of the weekend, if not scattered showers, too, nothing required to ride during the free session.
So hard to predict who could play the pole this Saturday, before the first rollings, on a track a little fat, yet, and far from being safe from a small downpour. Very quickly, Lewis Hamilton showed his proven ease already yesterday, on the Paul Ricard. Q3 did not surprise anyone. The Williams, Hartley and McLaren went out without having played any role.
The beautiful pick was for the French, who all qualified for the Q2. Ocon, Gasly, Grosjean, and Monegasque Charles Leclerc were all in charge. As well as the two Renault, more difficult for Hülkenberg that said. It was before everything went wrong.
In Q2, Gasly and Ocon were not able to qualify for the last qualifying event, as was Hulkenberg. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Vettel continued to prance. Good point however for Ocon, who preceded a new teammate on the grid. So remained only Romain Grosjean and Carlos Sainz Jr with his Renault to console himself in Q3, and excellent Charles Leclerc, still effective with his Sauber Alfa Romeo.
Las, Romain Grosjean lost control of his Haas in Q3, ending in the wall. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz was in top form with his Renault, while Charles Leclerc made a solid performance with his Sauber. The exit of Romain Grosjean forced to break the rhythm of this Q3, with a red flag, and a pause imposed to 7 minutes of the end.
At the resumption, the sky began to be discovered, while the cars resumed the track. Very quickly, Lewis Hamilton resumed the pace he has imposed since the beginning of the meeting: fast, efficient and always clean. Bottas was trying to dislodge him, in the final seconds, but it was Hamilton who took his due, with a time of 1’30”029. A stratospheric loop that allowed him to obtain the 75th pole of his career.
Behind, Bottas and Vettel complete the Top 3 while both Red Bull, Verstappen ahead of Ricciardo. Charles Leclerc, impressed him, with his eighth fastest time, as much as Carlos Sainz, seventh with his Renault. The start will be given this Sunday at 4.10pm
