Russell pips Antonelli to pole… JUST!
The Brit went quicker at the end and pipped the Italian by 0.068 secs – with Lando Norris in third, three-tenths down.
4-10: Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Hadjar, Kindblad, Sainz
(Getty)
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:37
George Russell on provisional pole
Russell takes pole to start with a 1:13:194 – 0.217 secs ahead of Lewis Hamilton in second!
3-10: Antonelli, Verstappen, Hadjar, Piastri, Leclerc, Lindblad, Norris, Sainz
Can Hamilton get ahead with his second lap?
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:32
Here we go then – the quickfire eight-minute top-10 shootout!
Drivers involved: Russell, Antonelli, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Hadjar, Sainz, Lindblad
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:27
In the end, nobody bothered Verstappen! That being said, he’s complaining his car is “jumpy” – not ideal heading into SQ3.
Carlos Sainz nicks back 10th from Nico Hulkenberg right at the death.
Out in SQ2 (11-16): Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Ocon, Bearman, Alonso
(PA)
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:21
Is the Red Bull man in trouble here?!
Sainz in 10th, followed by: Bortoleto, Colapinto, Ocon, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Alonso
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:17
George Russell quickest so far
Russell goes fastest by 0.085 secs to his teammate Antonelli, with Hamilton a further tenth back in third.
A reminder: Fernando Alonso will stay in P16 as he won’t take part due to that crash.
Current bottom-six (11-16): Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen, Alonso
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:14
Time for the second session to see who makes the top-10 shootout.
10 minutes this time – again all on mediums.
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:08
Only 3 cars made it over the line – and Lance Stroll couldn’t improve his time.
Very anticlimactic end to the session! Pierre Gasly has to take a surprise SQ1 exit.
Out in SQ1 (17-22): Perez, Stroll, Gasly, Bottas, Albon, Lawson
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:03
Sainz and Stroll are the first cars out.
Who will make it round in time?!
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 22:00
A rapidly big queue in the pit-lane as a start time is announced for 9:59pm.
It’s around a 1:15 lap – and there’s 1:46 left.
Some should make it round to set another lap… but some will definitely miss out!
Kieran Jackson22 May 2026 21:58