Quebecer Lance Stroll disappointed in qualifying after promising free practice, being sidelined in Q1 on Saturday at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Due to the multiple penalties, the Aston Martin team driver will start the United States Grand Prix from 13th place.
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Stroll had to settle for the 16th fastest time in qualifying, being relegated to the exclusion in the dying moments of the first session. Dissatisfied with his last lap, especially because of the spin in front of him by Antonio Giovinazzi, he had to retreat with regret towards the pits.
“It was frustrating to leave qualifying so early, because I think we had the speed to do better. […] During my last lap in Q1, Giovinazzi slipped in front of me and the two yellow flags at turn 2 ruined the end of my session, ”admitted Stroll, quoted on his team’s website.
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Since Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and George Russell will all have to move back on the starting grid due to penalties for a part or engine change, Stroll will start 13th, alongside his compatriot Nicholas Latifi (Williams).
“There are a few cars that will be penalized on the grid […]. No matter where we start, we will fight for a good result tomorrow [dimanche]”, he added.
Vettel, his teammate at Aston Martin, will incidentally start from 18th position, he who recorded the 12th fastest time in qualifying.
Max Verstappen took pole position with a last cannon lap of 1 min 32.910 s. The Red Bull driver came out of nowhere in the last moments, ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who until then held the first place.
Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez had dominated the last two free practice sessions but will start third.
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