Norris broke the classification by taking pole position from Verstappen in Barcelona

When all the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is preparing to applaud a new pole position Max Verstappenwhich was announced with tremendous speed in the qualifying session of F1 Spanish GP 2024with the clock at zero, ‘in extremis’, Lando Norris (McLaren) He walks into the Dutchman’s party, turns off the music and impales himself with a stratospheric pole. The Briton beat Max by just 20 thousandthsless than a blink of an eye, before a main straight of the Catalan route that drove him crazy as he saw Lando cross the finish line and himself ahead.

There was an explanation for the madness of the fans. Not only because of the sympathy that Norris evoked around the world, but because his pole has changed significantly for this Sunday’s race. Ensuring a greater probability that the race will be an exciting battle against a Max Verstappen who can’t go out and lead first. He will have to face Lando again in a good fight on the track and on the techniques like it happened in Canada two weeks ago. There, the failure of the McLaren wall eliminated most of Lando’s options and gave the victory to Max. They will try to amend what happened this Sunday in a new opportunity.

It was a day to forget for McLaren as its hospitality burnt down around 12am. hence having the team to improvise food in the box or in other teams’ motorhomes. And finally, their leader Norris finished burning the classification with a final turn that no one expected. Completely on fire, Lando achieved a pole that few expected at that qualifying stage.

Norris will start the match first Verstappenwith the two Mercedes taking over the second row, proving that they are back in the fight for everything. hamilton He was third, three tenths off the best time, beating his teammate by just 2 thousandths. Russell (4th), with two Ferraris behind: Leclerc was 5th and Sainz, 6th. while, It was Alonso 11th (starts 10th due to Pérez’s penalty) after trying everything on him Aston Martin and remains only 19 thousandths away from moving into Q3.

What was seen this Saturday proves something very important. On a very representative track, more than previous layouts, there was a lot of equality in the final battle and Max no longer had the dominant car. Finally he has rivals. McLaren is a reality. And also Mercedes. While Ferrari will be there depending on the routes. Excitement seems to be high this Sunday in the battle for victory and the podium. Do not let anyone move from their seats.

Cold water weight for Sainz

After leading Free Practice 3 with a good time and the great feeling of Carlos Sainz in his Ferrari, the Spaniard has to confirm himself by starting 6th in the race this Sunday and look for a comeback that seems complicated in a track where it is. difficult to predict, where strategies will be key. The goal of the Madrid native is to fight with Mercedes, knowing that Norris and Max should be in a different league. McLaren, Mercedes and Verstappen seem to have better race pace and that will be more difficult.

Sainz started as one of the favorites in the fight for pole and was in that fight throughout the ‘qualy’, but in the end, Mercedes discovered themselves and the Spaniard could do nothing to get close to Norris and Max. Sainz thought. “I thought they didn’t have it,” Sainz said when referring to the extra tenths Norris and Verstappen put up midway through qualifying. But since Q2, he began to understand that the dream of pole was a mirage as McLaren and Red Bull added power to their engines and took the load off their cars. Norris and Max still have 3 tenths to go and it’s impossible to catch them.

The Spaniard is 0.353 behind the best pole time and is only beaten by 5 thousandths of a second by Charles Leclerc, his Ferrari teammate, who will start in 6th like a big day for Sainz, but after the change of the track conditions, he could not finish all the work done in the coveted pole position or on the first line.

Alonso, 11th but starts 10th

Fernando Alonsowith a car that still has a lot to improve and is also not perfectly suited to this track, is 11th. His biggest goal should be to try to achieve the miracle of breaking into the top 10, in Q3, but he is only 19 thousandths behind. There was no one else in the car. He gave it his all but it wasn’t enough and this Sunday he will be looking to score some tough points starting 10th due to the suspension of ‘Checo’ Pérez. The Mexican does not have to be his rival with a better car and has to focus on other opponents to try to get points.