Max Verstappen Qualifies Fifth for Barcelona Grand Prix as George Russell Takes Pole

Max Verstappen qualified fifth for the Barcelona Grand Prix after losing grip at turn ten during the final sector of his qualifying run. He said the car was not responding as expected, adding that the weekend would be about survival due to tyre wear. Mercedes driver George Russell secured pole position, finishing more than 0.3 seconds ahead of Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton posted the second‑fastest time in his Ferrari, while 19‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli recorded third for Mercedes and Lando Norris was fourth in his McLaren.

The session was briefly halted after Charles Leclerc crashed his Ferrari, losing control and hitting the tyre wall. The Barcelona race, the seventh round of the Formula 1 season, is scheduled to start on Sunday at 15:00 local time.