British Grand Prix: Qualifying Recap

The forecasted rain duly arrived just minutes before the start of qualifying at Silverstone Circuit with Q1 seeing the field hit the track shod exclusively on the Cinturato Green intermediate tires to tackle the tricky conditions.

Magnussen and Schumacher set four timed laps on their first set of tires. Magnussen’s final effort before pitting for a fresh set of intermediates was a 1:43.513. Armed with fresh rubber he delivered a 1:42.180 followed by a 1:42.159 to finish P17 – two spots out of making it through to Q2. Schumacher’s final lap on his first set was a 1:45.175. With new intermediates on he charged to the checkered setting a 1:43.174 then a 1:42.708 but exited qualifying in P19.

Carlos Sainz of Scuderia Ferrari claimed his first career Formula 1 pole position ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing.

Kevin Magnussen, Driver No. 20, Haas F1 Team

“Mick was looking good in FP3, I didn’t have a good one, but I could see what the car could do so I was confident. Then it rained, and that made me even more confident but for some reason we just didn’t have the pace today in the wet. It’s interesting, we’ve been quick in the wet a couple of times this year, but it’s been on very different tracks to this one. There’s something to learn from that so we’ll try again tomorrow and see if we can fight our way back into the top-10.”

Mick Schumacher, Driver No. 47, Haas F1 Team

“Unfortunately we had an issue with the car, it seemed like something with the steering wasn’t right which is the last thing you want, especially in these changing conditions. We’ll analyze what happened, but I think that was a big reason why we didn’t make the step-up into Q2. I’m down for any conditions tomorrow, whether it’s wet or dry – it’s fun in any conditions – so I’m looking forward to it.”

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas F1 Team

“It wasn’t a smooth day today. In FP3, Mick did a very good job but Kevin couldn’t find the balance in the car. In qualifying in the rain, we just had too much understeer and we wore the front-left tire out. We just couldn’t get the car to turn so we were out in Q1 and on Mick’s car, his steering wheel was off about 10 degrees which obviously is not ideal when you’re out in these conditions trying to qualify. Now we’re regrouping to get the best out of tomorrow.”

Today's Data

Event: Qualifying for the British Grand Prix – Saturday July 2
Location: Silverstone Circuit, England  
Layout: 5.891-kilometer (3.66-mile), 18-turn circuit
Weather: Rain Showers
Air Temps: 16.9 degrees Celsius (62.42 degrees Fahrenheit)
Track Temps: 24 degrees Celsius (75.2 degrees Fahrenheit)
Team Result: Kevin Magnussen qualified 17th, Mick Schumacher qualified 19th 

Free Practice 3 Rundown:

Schumacher: 9th overall (1:29.510), 21 laps completed
Magnussen: 20th overall (1:30.523), 19 laps completed
Fastest: Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing (1:27.901)

Q1 Qualifying: 18-mins with all 20 drivers – Top 15 advance to Q2

Magnussen: 17th overall (1:42.159) 
Schumacher: 19th overall (1:42.708) 
Fastest: Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing (1:39.129)

Q2 Qualifying: 15-mins – Top 10 advance to Q3

Fastest: Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing (1:40.655) 

Q3 Qualifying: 12-mins featuring the Top 10 

Pole Winner: Carlos Sainz of Scuderia Ferrari (1:40.983)