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Finland’s Valtteri Bottas will start the Formula One season on pole place after denying Mercedes group mate and six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton the highest slot in Austria on Saturday.
The front-row lockout by Mercedes equalled Ferrari’s document of 65, and the “Black Arrows” have been in a non-public duel on the scenic Red Bull Ring.
“It feels really good, I’ve missed this feeling,” mentioned Bottas of a 3rd profession Austrian GP pole after 2017 and 2018, and one secured regardless of going into the gravel on his remaining flying lap.
“Our team have done an amazing job, we seem to be in our own league.”
Hamilton was a mere 0.012 slower than the Finn’s time of 1 minute 02.939 seconds, set on his first run, after lapping quickest in all three observe classes on the scenic Red Bull Ring.
“The car was great, I just didn’t manage to put the greatest laps together,” mentioned the Briton.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, winner of the previous two races at his group’s house circuit, certified third however as the only driver in the highest 10 on the medium tyres.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, at 20 the youngest man in the race, will line up a formidable fourth.
Ferrari struggled, nevertheless, with four-times champion Sebastian Vettel failing to attain the ultimate section of qualifying and beginning 11th whereas Charles Leclerc, on pole final yr, ended up seventh on the grid.
“Of course, it’s a surprise, we thought we had a little bit more in hand but it seems the others were probably running a little bit more fuel or were more conservative in practice,” Vettel mentioned.
“I wasn’t so happy with the car, more oversteer in entry than I would like. But we will see, I think tomorrow is a different picture.”
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