Quebec’s Lance Stroll achieved his best qualifying session of the season in Texas on Saturday and will start the United States Grand Prix from fifth position.
The Aston Martin team driver set the seventh fastest time for the first time in the third qualifying round (Q3), completing the layout of the Circuit of the Americas in 1:35.998s. Due to the penalties imposed on Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Sergio Pérez (Red Bull). for the use of new engine components, however, he improved by two places.
In 2022, Stroll’s best starting position was ninth at the end of August in Belgium.
The Montreal native showed encouraging signs this weekend by finishing fourth in first free practice. If he had slipped very far down in second place, he was able to recover earlier on Saturday with ninth place in the third and final practice session.
His team-mate Sebastian Vettel (1:36.398) retired in Q2 and was scheduled to start 12th. However, he gained a rank due to the punishment of Leclerc, who was forced to drop 10 ranks.
It was the other Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz Jr. (1:34.356) who took the lead. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) will follow him on the grid.
Last year in the USA, Stroll started the Grand Prix from 13th place and secured a place in the race.
Q3 results
1. Carlos Sainz Jr. (ESP/Ferrari) 1:34.356
2. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:34.421
3. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:34.448
4. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:34.645
5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:34.947
6. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:34.988
7. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:35.598
8. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:35.690
9. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine Renault) 1:35.876
10. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:36.319