Overview
- Franco Colapinto advanced to Q2 in treacherous conditions but lost a likely improvement after oversteer on a kerb, then lacked battery energy for a final lap.
- Lando Norris secured pole ahead of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz after a chaotic session that reshuffled the grid.
- Pierre Gasly reached Q3 and will start 10th, reflecting stronger Alpine form in the wet than in typical dry running.
- Multiple contenders faltered in Q1, with Lewis Hamilton classified 20th and Alex Albon crashing out as full wet tyres dominated early running before inters in Q3.
- The FIA fined Alpine €5,000 for a tyre-handling breach following FP3, a procedural penalty that does not alter the starting order, with the race expected to run in drier conditions overnight.