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Provisional grid French GP: Verstappen starts ahead of Hamilton

19 June 2021 at 17:05

Last update 19 June 2021 at 21:57

GPblog.com

Qualifying for the French Grand Prix is over. It was different than in previous years on the same circuit: not Lewis Hamilton, but Max Verstappen took pole position.

Convincing pole position for Verstappen

Where Mercedes dominated in 2018 and 2019, it's Red Bull Racing that came out on top on Saturday. Verstappen set the fastest time early in Q3, but that time was attacked by the Mercedes drivers in the final minutes. Verstappen himself did not sit still either, improving his time in a phenomenal lap. Because of this nobody could keep him from the pole position.

The Dutchman will have to look carefully in his mirrors at the start: Both Mercedes drivers will try to attack him, and title rival Hamilton will start alongside Verstappen on the first row of the grid. Behind him will be Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, who will be looking to keep the Mercedes men off his teammate.

Carlos Sainz was best of the rest on Saturday: he will start Sunday's race from fifth position. The midfield will also be interesting, as Mick Schumacher's crash means that he and George Russell will both start from the top 15.