🏁 Quali! More to get tomorrow in the sprint 👊

🏁 P5 Fernando 1:29.202
🏁 P19 Esteban 1:22.338#ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/mRsBeaALs4

— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) April 22, 2022

Despite the fact that rain fell on the track for the most of the morning, Q1 began under dry conditions. 

Alonso went well and advanced to Q2 in eighth place after opting for Softs. Ocon had to withdraw from qualifying due to a gearbox failure that prevented him from completing his final timed lap, and he finished in twentieth place.

Esteban Ocon who qualified P19 with a time of 1:22.338 comments, "Our qualifying ended early, so that was a tough way for us to end the day"

The Frenchman continues, "We’ve had a suspected gearbox issue, which is why I couldn’t complete the lap in Q1 and we pitted straight away. We will be looking closely at what happened."

He adds, "Up until that point, the car felt good so it’s going to be all about getting it back for tomorrow in the Sprint and for Sunday’s Race."

Ocon concludes, "Still, there are two races to go this weekend, with potentially some rain as well, so there are still some opportunities to save our weekend. Let’s see what happens.”

Meanwhile, teammate Fernando Alonso who qualified P5 with a time of 1:19.202 comments, “It feels good to be in the top five after a messy qualifying with all of the changing conditions and red flags."

The Spaniard adds, "With the wet weather changing the track all the time, anything can happen, so overall I’m pleased to be in the top five for tomorrow."

Alonso concludes, "The car felt fast in the last two rounds and I feel quite comfortable with the car here. Let’s see how we do tomorrow as there are points on offer in the Sprint and for the race on Sunday.”