FIA’s attempt at leveling the playing field is finally showing results. Barring Red Bull, the rest of the grid has really bunched up, and any attempt at predicting results will be futile. Aston Martin has shown the biggest improvement in terms of on-track performance and results until now. The qualifying in Jeddah wasn’t any different as Fernando Alonso finished 3rd fastest. The Spaniard will start 2nd though, owing to the 10-place grid penalty Charles Leclerc is carrying. His partner Lance Stroll, in his final flying lap in Q3, went a step further by setting up for pole position. However, a slow 3rd sector saw him land only a P6 finish (P5 for starting grid). Nevertheless, the Canadian’s heroics won fans’ hearts and had them rooting for him for the main race.
After Max Verstappen pulled out in Q3 owing to a suspected driveshaft issue, Sergio Perez took the responsibility of landing the team in the pole position. However, Checo’s place immediately came under threat as Lance set out on his final flying lap, going purple in the first sector. He then set a personal best second sector before having a below-par 3rd sector performance, finishing more than 6-tenths of a second behind Checo.
Lance Stroll left fans in a shock after setting the fastest timing in the first sector
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Ever since Alonso finished 3rd in the season opener in Bahrain, it is pretty much clear who is spearheading the team, if it wasn’t clear already. However, Lance’s heroics in Jeddah are a testament to the fact that he will not concede easily to his own teammate. We saw a glimpse of it Stroll wasn’t afraid of attacking Alonso in Bahrain, ending up colliding.
But his qualifying antics from last night are the talk of the town for now.
For a brief moment… pic.twitter.com/Pht3kzkz3u
— formularacers (@formularacers_) March 18, 2023
My jaw dropped when i saw that purple sector. 🫡
— Arjun || Danke Seb (@not_arjund) March 19, 2023
You actually had me scared with that purple sector 1
— I forgot (@las19221) March 18, 2023
Some fans are not ruling out a podium finish for Lance this year. Given how Aston Martin is performing this year, it would surprise us if he didn’t.
I can't wait to see @lance_stroll on the podium this year. It's gonna happen. It's just a matter of time. pic.twitter.com/UFjCnBYpHv
— .. 💜._ ._.. 🏎️ (@CrowleysLambert) March 19, 2023
Some fans couldn’t get over the fact that he could not grab pole in Q3 yesterday.
Im so sad for lance q3 lap, but still a very good job guys. Keep it up and good luck for the race 🍀
— cybo (@CyboInc) March 18, 2023
Sectors 1 & 2 never forgotten https://t.co/qaS5w027kP
— Hafiz (@HafizRahman98) March 18, 2023
In other news, Lewis Hamilton was having a rather forgettable day. The Briton finished only 7th fastest, behind the likes of Stroll and Esteban Ocon.
Didn’t think I’d see the day where lance stroll has qualified ahead of a 7 time world champion https://t.co/TMcjwclpM6
— Ellis (@ellis1822_) March 18, 2023
Lance Stroll really got purple sector 1 and then bottled the lap 😂😂
— ❤️= ⚽ | ٣١٣ (@mrgreatwunnn) March 18, 2023
One fan urged him to avoid crashing into Fernando this time around.
Don’t crash in Alonso this time
— To (@BlthTony) March 18, 2023
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We were enthralled with the first purple. Nice run. That smile is a podium smile. 1-3 tomorrow
— Román Escudero (@PreGyCT) March 18, 2023
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Where do you think the two Aston Martin will finish in Jeddah? Give us your predictions in the comments.