Norris once again showcased his prowess in Q2, continuing his impressive performance while fellow driver Bortoleto also made headlines with a standout showing. The session saw early activity from Ferrari drivers Leclerc and Hamilton, who were quickly joined on track by Albon as the competition unfolded.
Lawson made an early statement by setting the fastest time, only to be overtaken by Verstappen, Piastri, and ultimately Norris, who clocked an impressive 1m 04.410s to outpace his teammate by 0.146 seconds. Verstappen expressed his frustration regarding the grip of his RB21, describing the car as “completely undriveable” during a radio message.
The session faced a brief halt due to a small trackside fire, which brought out a red flag. Upon resumption, the pressure mounted for drivers like Albon, who was struggling to keep pace, while Bortoleto’s remarkable rise continued as he surged into third place. However, he faced fierce competition as Verstappen eventually reclaimed fourth, and Leclerc moved up to third, edging past the world champion.
Bortoleto’s performance marks a significant milestone, as he reached Q3 for the first time, showcasing the potential of emerging talent in the race. Gasly also made a notable improvement, securing sixth place, ahead of Russell, adding to the excitement of the session.
As the qualifying segment concluded, Norris claimed the top position, while Alonso was among the notable drivers left out in P11, alongside Albon in P12. The final results highlighted the intense competition, with drivers like Hadjar, Colapinto, and Bearman finishing outside the top 10.
The session emphasized the vitality of new talent and the unpredictability of race dynamics, setting an exhilarating stage for the upcoming showdown.