2024 F1 Austrian GP Qualifying: Key takeaways

The 2024 F1 Austrian GP qualifying saw Max Verstappen steal the march on everyone as the Dutch driver secured his fifth pole position at the track. After a string of qualifying sessions in the past where the gap has been less than a tenth, this was a return to Red Bull dominance days where Max was just out of reach.

In P2, we have Lando Norris, the McLaren driver extracting everything possible from the car. In P3, we have George Russell as the Mercedes driver dragged his car into the battle at the front.

In what was a surprising session with a lack of competition at the front, what have we learned from the F1 Austrian GP qualifying? Let's take a look.

2024 F1 Austrian GP Qualifying: What have we learned?

#1 Max Verstappen might be untouchable in Austria

Lando Norris had a resigned look after qualifying because, just like everyone else, he knew Max was unstoppable in qualifying. Max does not get the plaudits of being a great qualifier even though he's just brilliant at it. This session was just everybody throwing in the towel and accepting that there was no point even pretending.

Getting more time to work on that car is just what Red Bull needs apparently and the F1 Austrian GP might be a return to the old days where Max Verstappen just scampers off into the distance.

#2 Charles Leclerc might be losing his head with Ferrari's form dip

The mistake was uncharacteristic from Charles Leclerc but it was also a result of the driver trying too hard to do something that the car just can't reciprocate. Since the win in Monaco, Charles would have expected to try and close the gap to the front.

The opposite has happened where Ferrari has talked the big game, but the results have been poor. The car was fourth fastest in the F1 Austrian GP, and you could see Charles losing his head as the weekend progressed.

#3 Aston Martin is going through a painful process

It does appear that Aston Martin is resigned to the upgrades that will come in Hungary. The car is categorically slower than even the Haas or Alpine, and no amount of Fernando Alonso's heroics can save them.

Looking at Alonso's depressed voice and somewhat sad body language, one has to assume that heads will start to roll unless something good is coming the team's way in Hungary.

#4 Sergio Perez dropped another stinker

It's not a good look when Sergio Perez is almost forced to cling on to excuses to justify his qualifying. He tried it yesterday, but it doesn't work every time. This time around, there was nobody to blame, but the Mexican driver found himself in the same position as he was yesterday.

The Red Bull driver starts the F1 Austrian GP in P8, behind the other Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren drivers. Whether he knows it or not, he is fighting for his seat right now.

#5 Daniel Ricciardo looked good again

Daniel came into this weekend warding off statements around his future. Those statements have been allayed to an extent this weekend, as he genuinely looked like the better of the two RB drivers.

From the point where he was consistently getting hammered by Yuki Tsunoda to now outqualifying him often, Daniel Ricciardo is starting to make steps of recovery. We'd have to see if the F1 Austrian GP proves to be the turning point or not for him.