In Q1 of qualifying Alex progressed in P7 with a lap of 1:36:106

The Bulls and the Mercedes went out on medium tyres in Q2, but at turn 21, Albon had his opening lap deleted for a track limit violation. In the closing stages, he fell to P13 on the time sheet and it meant that he needed a run on soft tyres to guarantee improvement. 

In the final shootout for the top-10, Norris took an outstanding P4 behind the top three of Verstappen, Bottas, Hamilton to beat Albon by seven-hundredths of a second.

Albon comments, "It was my best and most competitive qualifying of the year and whilst I’m happy with my performance I’m also annoyed as I made a small mistake in the final Q3 run and that was my lap done. The car was really hooked up, we had a good balance and I was feeling strong after the first Q3 run but I wanted it a bit too much. In sector one I pushed too hard too soon and the tyres were done from thereon so whilst the track was getting faster and faster I didn’t have the grip and couldn’t improve my time.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing)

He continues, "But it was super close out there and the gap was the closest it’s been all year so there are positives to take and on a personal note it’s been a strong weekend for me, it’s progress and that’s important. Now I’m just focused on taking that into tomorrow’s race as it’s all still to play for out there and I’m positive we can do something good. Max getting pole is obviously great for the Team too so well done to him and now it’s all eyes on tomorrow and the last race of the season.”