Carlos Sainz set the pace in the initial Sprint Qualifying session at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with the session witnessing a dramatic halt due to a major crash involving Esteban Ocon.
The collision, involving Ocon and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, led to a charged exchange from Ocon, who seemed to hold Alonso responsible for the incident.
Sergio Perez, locked in a tight contest with Lewis Hamilton for second place in the drivers’ championship, concluded the session in 10th, while his teammate, Max Verstappen, secured the fourth fastest time.
The incident saw Ocon, along with Lance Stroll, Zhou Guanyu, Alex Albon, and Logan Sargeant, eliminated from the first qualifying session.
The Brazilian Grand Prix is bracing for potential storms, adding an unpredictable element to the Sao Paulo weekend.
Eliminations in the Sprint Qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix 2023:
Eliminated in SQ1:
16. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
18. Zhou Guanyu (AlphaTauri)
19. Alex Albon (Williams)
20. Logan Sargeant (Williams)
Understanding F1 Sprint Qualifying:
The sprint qualifying format includes a 30-minute qualifying period that leads up to a shorter race later in the day. It starts with Q1, from which the slowest five drivers are eliminated. Another five are dropped after Q2. The thrilling climax is Q3, where the top ten drivers battle it out to secure the most advantageous positions on the starting grid for the sprint race.
