Overview

• Verstappen delivered a single late Q3 lap to secure pole over Carlos Sainz, with rookie Liam Lawson taking third on the grid.
• McLaren faltered as Oscar Piastri crashed in Q3 and Lando Norris qualified only seventh, weakening the team’s starting position.
• Race control stopped Q1 for accidents involving Alex Albon, Nico Hülkenberg and Franco Colapinto, with Oliver Bearman off in Q2 and Charles Leclerc plus Piastri crashing in Q3.
• Debris clearance and barrier repairs stretched qualifying to nearly two hours as the track gradually dried.
• Leclerc starts tenth after his crash, while Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were knocked out in Q1 and will line up near the back.