Overview
- Max Verstappen qualified second after Red Bull mistimed the optimal final‑lap window and tyre cooling; Carlos Sainz took third, George Russell fourth and Oscar Piastri fifth.
- Russell reported a mid‑Q3 power‑steering issue that hampered his last attempt, while a separate Mercedes paperwork review ended with no penalty after stewards accepted email evidence of timely submission.
- Lewis Hamilton aborted a final run after seeing a red signal beyond the timing line and will start 20th.
- Ferrari’s wet‑weather weakness was laid bare again, with Charles Leclerc labeling the car difficult in rain as he qualified ninth.
- Limited long‑run data from disrupted sessions and concerns over tyre graining leave strategy wide open for Sunday’s expected dry conditions.