2021 Qatar GP: 10th and 12th in qualifying
Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team's Sebastian Vettel secured 10th on the grid for the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.
Sebastian's final lap in Q3 was impacted by yellow flags while team-mate Lance Stroll secured 12th in Q2, with a strong chance of contending for points in Sunday's race.
Sebastian
Sebastian took to the track at the start of Q1 and running on the Soft tyres, posted a benchmark 1.23.368 lap before improving to a 1.23.038 on his second run.
Sitting inside the top 10, Sebastian fitted a fresh set of Soft tyres in the closing minutes of the first session, and posted a 1.22.549 to comfortably progress to Q2.
In the second part of qualifying, the German posted a 1.22.274 lap time to immediately slot into the top 10, laying down a new personal best performance.
Race Preview
Qatar will makes its Formula One debut as part of a Middle East run to end a record-breaking campaign. Most famous for hosting MotoGP, the high-speed and flowing Losail Circuit has international pedigree. It will be a step into the unknown for the field, who have no relevant experience of the circuit.
On his final run in Q2, he again improved to progress to the pole position shootout, posting 1.22.146 – a lap that was worthy of eighth.
In the final part of qualifying, Sebastian laid down a 1.22.785 marker and with three minutes remaining, took to the track for one final run.
Unfortunately, a yellow flag in Sector Three, caused by Pierre Gasly, prevented Sebastian from improving during his final hot lap.
As a result, he will start the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix from 10th on the grid, sitting in a prime position to challenge for points in Sunday’s race.
"I think we are feeling a bit more competitive this weekend and I had a good day overall. We managed to beat a Ferrari, a McLaren and even a Red Bull in Q2 so I think we can be happy.
"Unfortunately, during my final run in Q3, I encountered traffic and then the yellow flags prevented any chance of improving, which was a shame.
"Overall, it was a decent qualifying session and we will see what we can do in the race. Overtaking here is difficult but not impossible and it will be a new experience for all of us."
Lance
After showing promising pace in Friday practice, Lance’s form continued on Saturday in qualifying at the Losail International Circuit.
At the start of Q1, the Canadian posted a 1.23.601 lap time but as the session progressed, continued to refine his performance.
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A late improvement to a 1.22.551 promoted Lance from the bottom five to the top 10 as the Canadian progressed to Q2 in ninth.
In the second part of qualifying, Lance briefly held a place inside the top 10 after producing an initial 1.22.578 lap on Soft tyres.
On his second run, he improved by one tenth of a second to lay down a 1.22.460 but unfortunately missed out on a place in Q3.
Lance will start Sunday’s race from 12th on the grid with a free choice of tyres and a chance to fight forward for points.
"The car felt really good today but, overall, after missing out on Q2 by one tenth, I came away from qualifying feeling we could have got a bit more from the session.
"The benefit of starting from P12 is that it gives us a free tyre choice for the race. We will see how we can benefit from that because it offers us more options.
"The track is a lot of fun to drive: it is similar to Mugello and Suzuka, very fast and flowing, so it should make for an interesting race."
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