Carlos Sainz 0.072s faster than Max Verstappen to claim first career pole; Verstappen had dominated qualifying but was hindered by Charles Leclerc spin on last lap; Lewis Hamilton only fifth for Mercedes; Watch British Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 on Sunday at 3pm
By Matt Morlidge at Silverstone
Last Updated: 02/07/22 4:19pm
Carlos Sainz claimed his first Formula 1 pole position after snatching the fastest time off Max Verstappen in a thrilling wet British GP qualifying.
With heavy rain falling at Silverstone, Verstappen had dominated the shootout and appeared to have Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as his closest challengers – before Sainz found pace with his all-important last lap.
“No way! I didn’t expect that one!” said Sainz, who was 0.072s faster than Verstappen to seal his first pole on his 151st attempt.
Sainz also overhauled his Ferrari team-mate, with Leclerc spinning on his final attempt and finishing three-tenths off in third, ahead of Sergio Perez.
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ruins his flying lap with a spin but somehow keeps his car on track in Q3 for the British Grand Prix.
Verstappen, who also spun earlier in Q3,, said he was hindered by the yellow flags caused by Leclerc on his crucial lap.
Mercedes’ pace in practice and Q2 – when Hamilton was just behind Verstappen – failed to convert to Q3 as Hamilton was the lead Silver Arrow in fifth, over a second off the pace.
George Russell was only eighth.
Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso split the Mercedes, while Nicholas Latifi provided the big surprise of qualifying by getting his Williams all the way through to Q3 in the mixed conditions.
British GP Qualifying, Top 10
1) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
5) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
6) Lando Norris, McLaren
7) Fernando Alonso, Alpine
8) George Russell, Mercedes
9) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo
10) Nicholas Latifi, Williams
More to follow.