Spain – Qualifying: Hamilton back on top

The qualifications took place in perfect conditions, under bright sunshine, with 22°C in the air and 42°C on the track. While the Sauber and Manor were the first to set a time, the Mercedes quickly took the lead, with Nico Rosberg achieving a better time than his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, leaving the Sauber 2.8 seconds behind.

But the first sensation of Q1 was Max Verstappen’s performance. Indeed, the new Red Bull driver managed to secure 3rd position, half a second behind the Mercedes. Daniel Ricciardo ranked just behind his teammate, ahead of the two Ferraris.

For the battle for qualification, Nico Hülkenberg had to save himself during his last lap as he was only in 16th place before climbing to a provisional 8th position. Similarly, Jenson Button was under threat for a long time but managed to save himself on his last attempt, just like Romain Grosjean.

On the other hand, a big surprise with Felipe Massa who abandoned his last lap and is thus eliminated in Q1, with only the 18th quickest time of the session as he got caught out by track traffic while attempting to qualify on a single run.

MASSA: “It was a timing issue – traffic on the track and then I didn’t have enough time to get back out” #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/iIwMTGnaBI

— Formula 1 (@F1) 14 mai 2016

He thus finishes the Renault of Jolyon Palmer, first on the list of eliminated. The other four eliminated are the two Saubers and the two Manors. This time, the drivers of the Swiss team managed to get ahead of the two Manor drivers.

**Eliminated from Q1**: Palmer, Massa, Ericsson, Nasr, Wehrlein, Haryanto

For Q2, for once, it was the Mercedes that set the first time. This time, it was Lewis Hamilton who made a strong impact, with a time six-tenths faster than Nico Rosberg. The Briton took the opportunity to put pressure on his teammate before the decisive Q3 session.

On his first attempt, Kimi Räikkönen found himself stuck in traffic and therefore preferred to shorten his stint by diving into the pit lane before the end of his first fast lap. Fewer problems for Sebastian Vettel, who ranks 4th. Indeed, the German is dominated by Max Verstappen, who is definitely in form as the gap with Daniel Ricciardo reaches five-tenths!

One minute before the end, Kimi Räikkönen finally set his first time in Q2 and ranked 4th, just ahead of his teammate. Jenson Button managed to improve again in his last lap, moving up to 10th place. But he didn’t stay in that spot for long as Nico Hülkenberg quickly displaced him. However, the German driver was also eliminated by his own teammate, Sergio Perez.

Bad news for Daniil Kvyat, who has to settle for 13th place, while Carlos Sainz finishes in 9th position and can therefore advance to Q3. Among the eliminated are both Haas drivers as well as Kevin Magnussen. However, Fernando Alonso will have the opportunity to compete in Q3 in front of his home crowd.

P10 for Fernando as #McLarenHonda progresses to Q3. Great team effort, guys. #BelieveInMcLarenHonda #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/vIiY8Z3c2q

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 14, 2016

Eliminated from Q2: Hülkenberg, Button, Kvyat, Grosjean, Magnussen, Gutierrez

It was Lewis Hamilton who launched the hostilities in Q3, but the Briton missed the braking, which cost him a lot of time. On the line, Nico Rosberg was thus able to be eight-tenths ahead of his teammate. Similarly, Kimi Räikkönen made several mistakes with his worn tires. On the other hand, no mistakes from Max Verstappen, who placed himself in second position, seven-tenths behind Nico Rosberg but ahead of the Ferraris.

The five other drivers preferred to try everything in a single attempt, causing a very crowded track for the last four minutes. Lewis Hamilton managed to execute a perfect final lap, four-tenths ahead of his teammate.

Daniel Ricciardo made sure to set the record straight by securing 3rd place, three-tenths ahead of his teammate. He managed to be in front at the most crucial moment. On the other hand, there was disappointment at Ferrari, with Kimi Räikkönen in 5th place, ahead of Sebastian Vettel. The Ferraris thus precede Valtteri Bottas, Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez, and Fernando Alonso.