Formula 1 Qualifying Records: An In-Depth Analysis of Team-Mate Battles
Formula 1 qualifying sessions are pivotal in determining the starting order for races, providing fans with thrilling displays of speed and strategy. Each team’s qualifying performance can be assessed through the lens of team-mate battles, where drivers compete against one another for supremacy within their own squads. This article offers a detailed exploration of the qualifying records of various drivers, emphasizing their performances against their team-mates throughout the season.
McLaren: Piastri vs. Norris
At McLaren, the competition between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris has been closely watched. Piastri has managed to secure a 6-3 edge over Norris in qualifying sessions, with the record adjusting to 4-3 when excluding sprint races.
In Australia, Norris finished in third place, with Piastri following closely behind in sixth, only 0.084 seconds off his team-mate in Q3. The duo then faced off in China during the sprint race, where Piastri again showcased his talent by finishing in sixth, while Norris placed third, a difference of 0.464 seconds in SQ3.
As the season progressed, they encountered more challenges, including a crash for Norris in Saudi Arabia, which resulted in no lap time in Q3. Despite this setback, they both performed admirably in Miami, where Piastri finished in fourth in Q3, just ahead of Norris.
Ferrari: Leclerc vs. Hamilton
The rivalry at Ferrari between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton has been intense. Leclerc’s qualifying record stands at 7 wins to Hamilton’s 2, with an impressive 6-1 record when disregarding sprint events.
In the Australian Grand Prix, Leclerc set the pace by qualifying in seventh, while Hamilton secured eighth, just 0.218 seconds behind in Q3. The competitive spirit continued in China, where Leclerc achieved a remarkable performance, qualifying first in both the sprint and the main race.
The Japanese Grand Prix was another highlight for Leclerc, who qualified fourth, while Hamilton finished eighth. The tension remained palpable as both drivers battled for supremacy, with Hamilton struggling at times, including a crash that cost him valuable time in Bahrain.
Red Bull: Verstappen vs. Lawson
Red Bull has seen Max Verstappen dominate the qualifying sessions, particularly against Liam Lawson, with Verstappen holding a 3-0 record and 2-0 when excluding sprint races.
During the Australian Grand Prix, Lawson faced difficulties, placing 18th and finishing 1.076 seconds slower than Verstappen. The gap widened in China, where Lawson struggled to make an impact, finishing 20th in both the sprint and the main race.
Verstappen, on the other hand, continued to excel, securing pole positions and demonstrating his prowess, especially in Bahrain and Miami, where he showcased his ability to consistently outperform his team-mate.
Mercedes: Russell vs. Antonelli
George Russell’s performance for Mercedes has been commendable, as he boasts a 7-2 record against Andrea Kimi Antonelli in qualifying. Excluding sprint races, the record adjusts to 6-1, indicating Russell’s stronghold within the team.
In Australia, Russell faced challenges, qualifying in fourth place, while Antonelli struggled, finishing 16th due to car damage. The duo’s performance improved in China, where they both qualified competitively, with Russell placing second and Antonelli in eighth.
The Japanese Grand Prix saw Russell qualifying fifth, while Antonelli placed sixth, further emphasizing Russell’s consistency. As the season progressed, the gap between them remained evident, with Russell often outpacing Antonelli in key qualifying sessions.
Aston Martin: Stroll vs. Alonso
The battle within Aston Martin has been one-sided, with Fernando Alonso dominating Lance Stroll with an impressive 8-1 qualifying record, and 7-0 when excluding sprints.
Alonso’s experience shone through as he consistently qualified ahead of Stroll, demonstrating his skill and adaptability on track. In Australia, Alonso qualified 13th, while Stroll finished 12th, showcasing a tight battle. However, the gap widened in subsequent races, particularly in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, where Alonso’s superior pace was evident.
In Miami, Alonso’s performance peaked as he qualified in the top positions, while Stroll struggled to keep pace, finishing far behind his team-mate.
Alpine: Gasly vs. Doohan
Pierre Gasly has made a significant impact for Alpine, holding a 6-2 advantage against Jack Doohan in qualifying sessions. When excluding sprint races, Gasly’s performance is even more pronounced at 5-1.
Throughout the season, Gasly has demonstrated his ability to extract maximum performance from the car. In Australia, he qualified ninth, outperforming Doohan, who finished 14th. The competition continued in China, where Gasly placed 16th in the sprint, while Doohan struggled to make a mark.
As the season progressed, Gasly’s experience allowed him to consistently qualify in the upper midfield, whereas Doohan faced difficulties, including a crash in Emilia Romagna that hindered his qualifying performance.
Haas: Ocon vs. Bearman
Esteban Ocon’s qualifying record against Oliver Bearman has been competitive, with Ocon leading 6-3, and 5-2 when sprints are disregarded.
In Australia, Ocon faced technical issues that prevented him from setting a representative lap time, while Bearman qualified in 19th. The duo’s performance improved in China, where Bearman managed to secure a 12th place finish in the sprint, showing promise as a developing talent.
As the season continued, Ocon’s experience allowed him to consistently perform well in qualifying, while Bearman faced challenges, including finishing far behind Ocon in most sessions.
Racing Bulls: Hadjar vs. Tsunoda
The qualifying battle between Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda has been closely contested, with Hadjar holding a narrow 1-2 record, equal at 1-1 when excluding sprints.
In Australia, Hadjar showed promise by qualifying 11th, while Tsunoda finished in fifth. The competition continued in China, where both drivers faced difficulties, and Hadjar struggled to set a competitive lap time in the sprint.
As the season progressed, Hadjar’s performance improved, allowing him to compete closely with Tsunoda, showcasing the potential within the Racing Bulls team.
Williams: Albon vs. Sainz
Alexander Albon’s performance at Williams has been impressive, leading Carlos Sainz with a 5-4 record in qualifying battles, adjusting to 3-4 when excluding sprints.
Albon’s consistency has been a highlight, particularly in Australia, where he qualified in sixth, outperforming Sainz, who finished 10th. The competition continued in China, where both drivers faced challenges, but Albon managed to secure better positions during qualifying.
As the season developed, Albon’s performance demonstrated his ability to compete against more established drivers, making him a key asset for the Williams team.
Sauber: Hulkenberg vs. Bortoleto
Nico Hulkenberg has shown strong performances for Sauber, holding a 5-4 record against Gabriel Bortoleto, with a slight edge of 4-3 when disregarding sprint races.
Hulkenberg’s experience has been crucial in qualifying sessions, with him consistently outperforming Bortoleto, particularly in Australia, where he finished 17th compared to Bortoleto’s 15th.
As the season progressed, Hulkenberg’s ability to adapt to various circuits allowed him to maintain an edge over his team-mate, showcasing the importance of experience in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
Conclusion
Analyzing the qualifying performances within Formula 1 teams reveals the fierce competition and dynamics between team-mates. Each driver brings unique skills and experiences to the table, influencing their qualifying outcomes and, ultimately, their team’s success. As the season unfolds, these rivalries will continue to shape the landscape of Formula 1, making each qualifying session a spectacle to behold.
