Styrian GP: Hamilton reigns supreme in the wet to claim dominant pole

Lewis Hamilton proved why he is one of the best ever in the wet after claiming a dominant pole at the Styrian Grand Prix.

As predicted the heavens opened in Spielberg on Saturday, leading to the cancellation of final practice earlier in the day and resulting in a delayed start to qualifying by 46 minutes.

But when conditions improved, the drivers ventured out on to the soaked Red Bull Ring.

Q1

After the long wait for the weather to improve, the action was fierce as lap times kept tumbling and tumbling.

Initially, it was Ferrari who used their track position to show good pace in the wet but would soon drop down as the circuit began to dry.

It was the two rain-meisters, Hamilton and Max Verstappen who led the way ahead of the two McLaren’s.

In contrast, Racing Point struggled massively with Sergio Perez failing to make it through to Q2 in 17th, though Stroll would show the car has pace in P8.

Joining the Mexican was with the two Alfa Romeo’s of Kimi Raikkonen in 16th and Antonio Giovinazzi 19th.

The Italian would actually end the session a little early after sliding off at Turn 9 and hitting the barrier with his rear wing causing a red flag.

Nicholas Latifi was a solid 18th in his first wet session for Williams, while more reliability problems meant Romain Grosjean failed to set a time in the Haas.

Q2

Once again it was Hamilton and Verstappen almost inseparable at the front with Norris ahead of Bottas in third for McLaren.

The battle to make Q3 though was between the two Ferrari’s as Vettel held P10 ahead of Leclerc.

Unfortunately for the Monegasque, the rain intensified enough to slow the track for the final five minutes keeping his teammate just out of reach.

George Russell impressed for Williams in P12, just missing out on the top 10 by 0.091s.

Stroll was 13th in a frustrating day for Racing Point ahead of Daniil Kvyat and Kevin Magnussen

Q3

With the rain falling harder, there was a dash to get out the pits and enjoy what may be the best track conditions.

Verstappen was at the front of the queue and used his clear vision to go fastest ahead of the two Mercedes’.

Hamilton and Bottas would respond, however, swapping fastest times at the top as the Dutchman struggled with increased spray.

With a clear lap, the Red Bull would go back to provisional pole but only for a brief moment as Hamilton went into hyperdrive with two mighty laps to claim P1 by 1.2s over Verstappen with a 1m19.273s

Behind the top two, Carlos Sainz claimed an impressive third for McLaren ahead of Bottas and Esteban Ocon a brilliant fifth for Renault.

Lando Norris was sixth but will drop to ninth after his grid penalty, that promotes Albon to P6 just ahead of Pierre Gasly.

Daniel Ricciardo was ninth as Vettel completed the top 10 in the Ferrari.

An intense qualifying that once again showed the supreme skill of Hamilton and Verstappen in the wet, and it sets up a very tasty battle in what should be a dry race on Sunday.

Full results from qualifying can be seen below: