30-year-old Magnussen benefited from the rain and British George Russell’s exit from the track, which caused the red flag to be shown with eight minutes remaining in the session.
This is the first pole for the Dane in 140 GP contested and for the Haas team (which has a Ferrari engine) in 143 races in Formula 1.
Magnussen had finished seventh in Q1, won by Britain’s Lando Norris, and repeated his position in Q2, where this season’s champion, Dutchman Max Verstappen, set the best time.
In the third and last session, with the track very wet from the rain, Magnussen was leading the times when Russell lost control of his car in a corner and ended up in the gravel areaforcing the organization to show the red flag.
With the rain increasing, most teams chose not to return to the track, with which the Dane maintained the first position and will start in first place this Saturday in the sprint, which will define the starting grid for Sunday’s race.
“I wasn’t expecting any of this at all. It’s incredible,” the Dane told the press, after finishing first.
“I don’t know what to say. The team put me on the track at the right time, I was first in the pitlane and I did a decent lap. I’m on pole, it’s unbelievable. Thanks to the whole team for this opportunity. I came back this year after year out and it’s been an incredible day, thank you!” added the pilot.
This Saturday, the second free practice session will be held and later the sprint race, which will define the starting grid for Sunday.
Source: Ambito
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