Charles Leclerc takes pole in one of the closest Qualifying sessions in 2023, while Aston Martin fail to get out of Q1.

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Qualifying 1

The first part of the Austin GP Qualifying took its usual time to develop, with most drivers putting in their best laps at the end. Unfortunately for Aston both cars were unable to improve and were out of Qualifying at the first hurdle, this is the first time that Alonso has not made it into Q3 this season, what a change in fortunes for Aston Martin.

Joining Alonso and Stroll in the bottom five are the Williams pair of Albon and Sargent, it will come as no surprise to see Logan in the bottom, he has been making it his own wee club for the majority of the season, it is a bit of a surprise to see his teammate joining him, arguably one of the best drivers of the season Alex was unable to turn on his qualifying magic in Austin.

Nico Hulkenberg was the other casualty, Nico will feel hard done by, at one point he was at the top of the table, but as the track evolved he lost out to the returning Ricciardo by the slimmest of margins.

Qualifying 2

Q2 followed the same format as the previous session with positions changing at the very last moment. Lando Norris put unnecessary pressure on himself with a track limit infraction, however the McLaren driver was able to make it through along with his teammate Piastri. Lewis Hamilton has looked strong in both sessions putting the Mercedes comfortably through, his teammate Russell made it into Q3 albeit a lot less comfortably.

Joining Magnussen in the bottom were both Alpha Tauri and Alfa Romeo cars. Danny Ricciardo was out qualified by his teammate on his return to the cockpit, but with both cars out in Q2, they will be looking for more in the GP on Sunday.

Qualifying 3 Pole Shootout

In one of the most open qualifying sessions in 2023, with four teams represented in the top 5 after their first runs. It was Charles Leclerc that would take the pole for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Ferrari hearts were almost broken when Ma Verstappen would cross the line to take pole by .005 but the dreaded track limits would intervene and restore Leclerc’s pole and demote Verstappen to 6th.

Both McLaren cars were in the final 10, however it was Lando Norris who turned on the style to take second ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari. Oscar Piastri would take 10th.

In something of an anonymous session Alpine would cross the line in 7th for Gasly and 8th for Ocon.

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