Q2 – Verstappen sneaks into P1 and Kick Sauber just miss out

The action soon continued as Q2 began, with Russell setting the early benchmark before Verstappen came through to go fastest, the world champion pumping in a time of 1m 21.085s to go seven-hundredths clear of the Mercedes.

Piastri and Norris followed in third and fourth, ahead of the other Red Bull of Perez in fifth. The Mexican – who dipped a wheel in the gravel on his cooldown lap – would surely be keen to have a good qualifying following another disappointing session in Friday’s Sprint Qualifying.

Alonso, meanwhile, aborted his effort, leaving him as the only driver without a lap on the board after the first runs. This put him provisionally at the bottom of the danger zone, behind Bottas, Zhou, Tsunoda and Stroll. Elsewhere, Sainz was noted for an unsafe release in the pits, an incident that will be investigated after the session.

With the margins again proving fine, there was plenty of action as attentions turned to the final push laps. Norris went just 0.066s quicker than Verstappen at the top with three minutes to spare, while Bottas was less than two-tenths away from making it into the top 10.

As the decisive efforts came in, Norris remained on top with his lap of 1m 20.983s, but all eyes were on those trying to escape the danger zone. Magnussen and Tsunoda both improved, while Zhou just missed out despite putting an impressive lap together.

Alonso then hauled himself up into the top 10, subsequently putting Hamilton in danger – before the Mercedes man also bettered his previous time to avoid elimination. Just as Verstappen snuck into P1 on a 1m 20.687s, those who missed out on progressing to Q3 were Gasly, Zhou, Bottas, Tsunoda and Stroll.

Knocked out: Gasly, Zhou, Bottas, Tsunoda, Stroll