Charles Leclerc grabbed the qualifying headlines in Russia. But what were the headline stats from Saturday’s session in Sochi?
- The last time a Ferrari driver took 4 straight poles (Michael Schumacher, 2000/01), Leclerc was 3 years old.
- Sebastian Vettel has been out-qualified by Ferrari team mate Leclerc at all 9 races since he lost victory in Montreal.
- By taking second to Valtteri Bottas’s fifth, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton out-qualified a team mate in Sochi for the first time in 5 years.
- Even with Max Verstappen’s Red Bull grid penalty lifting him to fourth, this will be Bottas's worst-ever starting position in Russia.
- Thanks to his penalty, Verstappen will still never have started in the top 6 in Sochi.

- At Alfa Romeo, Antonio Giovinazzi has now been knocked out in Q2 for 7 consecutive races. On the plus side he has out-qualified veteran team mate Kimi Raikkonen in successive races.
- Carlos Sainz will be fifth on the grid for McLaren, tying his career-best starting position, as previously achieved in Spain 2015 and Hungary 2018.
- Raikkonen went out in Q1 for only the 2nd time in the last 4 and a half years – the other time was Montreal this year.
- His early crash meant Alex Albon’s first Q1 elimination since joining Red Bull – it was his 3rd of the season overall.
- At Williams, rookie George Russell out-qualified Robert Kubica for the 16th consecutive race.
Next Up
Related Articles
The evolving paddock style of Fernando Alonso
Hamilton insists he ‘still loves racing’ despite struggles
Alonso praises Aston Martin's double points finish in Hungarian GP
Gasly admits Alpine are 'just too slow' after tough Hungarian GP
Power RankingsWho impressed our judges during F1's visit to Hungary?
UnlockedRaikkonen’s sensational last-lap win from P17 at Suzuka