McLaren's Oscar Piastri clinches pole for Spanish Grand Prix
McLaren's Oscar Piastri competes in the qualification session at the Spanish Grand Prix. AFP
BARCELONA – Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri thanked his 'mega' car, as he seized pole for the Spanish Grand Prix on May 31 with teammate Lando Norris completing a McLaren front row sweep.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen qualified third fastest in the same time as Mercedes' George Russell, who will start fourth because the reigning champion finished his lap first.
'Very happy. It's been a good weekend so far,' said Piastri.
'Didn't start off in the best way, we were struggling a little bit, but last night we found some pace and today the car is mega and feel I have been able to put in some good laps as well.
'This was a pretty miserable scene 12 months ago (qualifying 10th) so to turn it around in the best way is a great result.'
Heading into this weekend, the Australian leads the drivers' standings on 161 points, but just three points ahead of Norris. Verstappen is third on 136.
'Oscar drove very well. The pace is definitely there, just a couple of little mistakes,' said Norris.
'A good result for the team, a nice one-two and an interesting start for tomorrow. We have a lot of quick guys behind us, so we won't count them out. A good result today, I'm happy.'
Verstappen, meanwhile, admitted that he was 'lacking all weekend' compared to the McLarens.
'We executed well. Third is where we more or less should be. It's fun. Around here it's about squeezing everything out of the car,' he said.
'I will try my best but they will be tough to beat.'
Behind the top four, Ferrari's seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton qualified fifth, ahead of the man who replaced him at Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli.
His teammate Charles Leclerc was seventh, while Alpine's Pierre Gasly, Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso rounded out the top 10.
Off the track, Christian Horner has shut down speculation of a move to Ferrari by saying he is 100 per cent committed to Red Bull, and for the long term.
Germany's Bild newspaper reported this week that Ferrari had recently sounded out the Briton as a possible replacement for Fred Vasseur, but Horner poured cold water on that in a news conference.
'Of course it's always flattering to be associated with other teams. But my commitment, 100 per cent, is with Red Bull. It always has been and certainly will be for the long term,' said Red Bull's team boss.
'There's a bunch of speculation – always is in this business – people coming here, going there, whatever. I think people in the team know exactly what the situation is.'
Horner has led Red Bull since they entered the sport in 2005, winning eight drivers' titles with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen and six constructors' crowns, and he is the longest-serving of the 10 team principals.
His tenure has also been controversial. Married to former Spice Girl pop star Geri Halliwell, he was in 2024 cleared of accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee.
Red Bull have lost top designer Adrian Newey, now at Aston Martin, while former sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has become principal at Sauber.
Verstappen's future has also been much discussed, although he has a contract to 2028, while the Dutch driver's father Jos fell out with Horner in 2024. REUTERS
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