Max Verstappen was almost caught out by the same crosswind that his team-mate Perez was at Turn 4, an armful of oversteer meaning he had his first effort deleted as he went off track. The deleted time would’ve been good enough for pole, and Verstappen’s frustration was clear to see afterwards. He ultimately set the third fastest time with Perez behind him.
Carlos Sainz continued his impressive form throughout the weekend by taking fifth position for Ferrari, with the equally impressive Ocon joining him on the third row of the grid.
Lando Norris was 0.05sec back in seventh, with Charles Leclerc eighth.
Pierre Gasly, who has qualified fifth for the previous two races, might be disappointed with ninth. Sebastian Vettel could be slightly happier, making Q3 for the first time this season and rounding out the top 10.
2021 Portuguese Grand Prix qualifying results
Position | Driver | Team | Time (Q3) |
1 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 1m18.348s |
2 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1m.18.355s |
3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1m18.746s |
4 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1m18.890s |
5 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1m19.039s |
6 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1m19.042s |
7 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1m19.116s |
8 | Charles Lerclerc | Ferrari | 1m19.306s |
9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpha Tauri | 1m19.475s |
10 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | 1m19.659s |
Q2 times | |||
11 | George Russell | Williams | 1m19.109s |
12 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | 1m19.216s |
13 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine | 1m19.456s |
14 | Yuki Tsunoda | Alpha Tauri | 1m19.463s |
15 | Kimi Räikkönen | Alfa Romeo | 1m19.812s |
Q1 times | |||
16 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | 1m19.839s |
17 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1m19.913s |
18 | Nicolas Latifi | Williams | 1m20.285s |
19 | Mick Schumacher | Haas | 1m20.452s |
20 | Nikita Mazepin | Haas | 1m20.912s |