'It was a tricky session' - Top drivers react to 'surprising' Spanish qualifying

Despite a threat of rain hanging over qualifying for the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen delivered a palpable lap to secure the position.

The Red Bull driver managed it on his first timed lap in Q3, aborting his second attempt as it became clear that no would bother him. It is his first Formula 1 pole in Spain and around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

"The car was really good; qualifying started off a bit tricky with the weather, but by Q3, the car was on rails. Very enjoyable to drive. I love the track, I love the fans, I have some great memories here," the defending champion said.

Verstappen secured the position with a 1:12.272.

His teammate, Sergio Perez, had a torrid qualifying in as many race weekends, not making it out of Q2 and qualifying in 11th.

Home hero delight

For Ferrari, the Spanish Grand Prix was important because the team brought much-needed upgrades to its F1 car. However, it was just enough for one car, and the team opted to gift local hero Carlos Sainz with the updated car.

Though the updates seemed not to be working, Sainz managed to string a good lap together, securing second place in front of a roaring Spanish crowd.

He said: "I needed it! Even getting through Q1, Q2, putting in a good lap with only one set of tyres in Q3 - it was one of the most tricky qualifying sessions I can remember.

"I felt like I was driving very well, I was pushing everything, and I didn't leave anything on the table."

Sainz's teammate Charles Leclerc qualified down in 19th with the pre-updated car. The other home hero, Fernando Alonso, could only manage P9 in his Aston Martin.

What a surprise

McLaren's Lando Norris did not expect to be in the top 3 at the end of qualifying, but he accepted it like a champion.

When the