Spanish Grand Prix - Qualifying analysis

Qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix has been completed and it certainly had a different nature to it then the first four races of the season. As Catalunya being a naturally difficult circuit to balance the car around, it would be tough for everyone.

Carlos Sainz Jr driving for Toro Rosso.

As we headed into Q1 we saw the likes of Force India and McLaren straight onto the medium tires as well as Kimi Raikkonen later on in the session. The back row of the grid is again locked out by the two Marussia cars. It was a good day for Will Stevens as he managed to out qualify his team mate Roberto Merhi again, and they line up 19th and 20th. A disappointing session for Force India as Perez lines up 18th and Hulkenberg 17th. Hulkenberg went out earlier in the session, and didn't have time for another run towards the end, compromising him. It's the first time Force India have had both cars out in Q1 since Abu Dhabi 2009. The last spot in Q1 went to the Sauber of Marcus Ericsson.

Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull looks on.

Q2 began and the likes of both McLaren's were through, leapfrogging there main rivals Force India. As the session ended 15th spot was occupied by the other Sauber of Felipe Nasr. Disappointing for the team, with both cars lower than expected and meaning that McLaren had jumped them as well. They had wound up 14th and 13th with Fernando Alonso just getting ahead of his team mate by just under a tenth. The last two spots went to the Lotus drivers with Romain Grosjean again being ahead of his team mate Maldonado. Lotus were fairly happy considering a very bumpy and stressful weekend so far.

Valtteri Bottas of Williams, starting from 4th means he is in real contention for some serious points.

Q3 now rolled around, and it was again between Rosberg and Hamilton. There were also both Ferrari's, Toro Rosso's, Red Bull's and Williams all fighting for the top spot. As the flag dropped it was Daniel Ricciardo who found himself in 10th place, which for me was quite surprising. A disappointing session for Felipe Massa found him in 9th. Perhaps Kvyat going to Red Bull might be coming right now, as he drove brilliantly to get an 8th place grid slot, out performing his team mate in the process. Next in 7th after extremely disappointing qualifying, we find the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen, I hope he can put a stunning drive on Sunday and recover some points. Another blistering session from the Toro Rosso team as Carlos Sainz out drove his team mate Verstappen for 5th and 6th places, both ahead of the sister team, Red Bull. 4th place went to Valtteri Bottas who has been a little bit quiet so far, but he drove brilliantly, and finished ahead of his team mate Massa. 3rd was the place of Sebastian Vettel and his Ferrari, as he had an average day at the office. Now this is where the shocks come, finally an answer to Hamilton's reign, Nico Rosberg put in blistering lap times to take Pole Position over his team mate by a full three tenths. Finally some fight from Nico is great to see. Mercedes achieved their third 1-2 start at Catalunya in a row.

Nico Rosberg of Mercedes, the pole sitter

It was a throughly enjoyable session and finally great to see Nico putting a true fight to Hamilton, I cannot wait for race day!