2021 US GP: Challenging qualifying for the team
Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team had a challenging qualifying session in Austin for Formula One's 2021 United States Grand Prix.
Sebastian continued to focus on his preparations for Sunday's race, while Lance was prevented from making Q2 after a rival's error ruined his final flying lap.
Sebastian
Despite a looming back-of-the-grid start due to power unit-related penalties, Sebastian lapped competitively in Q1.
At the start of qualifying, Sebastian took to the track in clear air halfway through Q1, lapping in 1.35.712 on his first flying lap on Soft tyres to move into sixth.
Despite Nikita Mazepin's block on Sebastian through the high-speed Turns Two-Six, Sebastian's lap time held strong to secure a Q2 berth.
United States Grand Prix
Get ready for this weekend's United States Grand Prix with our in-depth preview. Hear from Lance and Sebastian, and discover the key talking points for the race ahead.
With little to play for in Q2, Sebastian waited until the final minutes of the session to head out on another set of Softs.
He fired in a 1.35.500 lap time to finish the session in 12th.
Sebastian crucially lapped faster than George Russell and Fernando Alonso who are also taking grid penalties, meaning Sebastian is likely to line up 18th for the Grand Prix.
With plenty of long-running data from Friday and Saturday morning, combined with encouraging qualifying pace, Sebastian will aim to fight his way up the field.
"Our qualifying pace was promising, and the car felt especially good in Q1.
"In Q2, I think I left some time on the table, but, with the grid penalty, the early exit made very little difference.
"We did what we needed to in terms of qualifying ahead of George [Russell] and Fernando [Alonso] who are also taking grid penalties, which means we will not start right at the back.
"I think we will start from P18 as things stand. It is going to be a hot and tough race so I think there is all to play for tomorrow."
Lance
Lance was unfortunate to miss out on Q2 after an encouraging start to qualifying, hindered by double-waved yellows caused by Antonio Giovinazzi spinning in Turn Two.
Qualifying began with the team sending Lance out on track ahead of a queue of cars, and the Canadian made the most of a near-empty track to initially top the times.
His 1.35.983 lap time held up well as the rest of the field completed their first runs, before a later lap time deletion pushed him down into the battle to make Q2.
Lance reveals US GP crash helmet
Introducing Lance's out of this world United States Grand Prix helmet design. Created by Mark Antar. Chosen by you, the fans, on the Socios app.
Lance re-entered the track in 13th, and with the potential to make Q2, only for Giovinazzi's spin at Turn Two to immediately end any chance of a lap time improvement.
As a result, Lance could only qualify 16th, but he will start higher up the grid after penalties are applied elsewhere in the field, giving him a platform to battle for a points finish.
"It was frustrating to exit qualifying early because I think we had the pace to achieve more.
"During my final lap in Q1, [Antonio] Giovinazzi spun in front of me and the double yellow flags at Turn Two ruined my lap at the end of the session.
"There are a number of cars taking grid penalties, so it remains to be seen where I will line up for the race.
"Wherever we start, we will fight hard to come away with something tomorrow."
All in. All welcome. All celebrated. Sign up to open up a world of I / AM benefits and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
