Verstappen pips remarkable Norris to secure Austrian GP pole position

Max Verstappen made it a hat-trick of Formula 1 pole positions with a stunning qualifying performance to beat an equally impressive Lando Norris.

Verstappen, who topped each qualifying segment, set a 1:03.720 on his first Q3 run to end up 0.048 seconds faster than Norris who had a stunning lap to have his best ever qualifying in F1.

Sergio Perez was third and will crucially start the race on the medium tyres, ahead of both Mercedes drivers.

Lewis Hamilton could only manage fourth whilst Valtteri Bottas was fifth. AlphaTauri had a great day as Pierre Gasly qualified sixth, just ahead of Yuki Tsunoda on the third row.

Sebastian Vettel was eighth as Aston Martin continued to show good form at the Austrian GP but is under investigation for blocking Fernando Alonso in Q2.

Perhaps the biggest story from qualifying goes to George Russell who made into Q3 for the first time in a Williams. It was a phenomenal lap from the British driver to give Williams their best starting position since the 2018 Italian GP with his ninth place.

The Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc failed to make Q3 and will start from 11th and 12th as they tried to get through on the medium tyres.

Alonso was furious with Vettel in Q2 as the Aston Martin driver completely blocked the Spaniard at the final corner. Prior to the incident, Alonso was on course to reach the final part of qualifying.

Remarkably, the same five drivers who were knocked out in Q1 at the Styrian GP were eliminated once again. Esteban Ocon had a poor run and will start from a lowly 17th, in front of Nicholas Latifi and Haas drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.