Q2 – Ocon crashes, McLaren stay on top

Only moments after the second phase had begun, red flags were thrown for a sizeable crash involving Ocon – replays showing the Frenchman losing control of his Haas over the kerbs through Turn 2, sliding across the track and thumping the barriers.

Several minutes later, with Ocon’s car cleared and barrier checks complete, the green light was switched back on at the end of the pit lane to release a queue of eager drivers – some 11 minutes remaining to secure spots in the pole position shootout.

McLaren again caught the eye on their initial Q2 runs, which saw Piastri produce an impressive 1m 30.454s and team mate Norris deliver a time just one tenth slower, putting the pair around half a second clear of nearest rivals Leclerc and Antonelli.

However, a handful of drivers, including Hamilton and the Red Bull racers, opted to complete just one flying lap much later in the segment, setting up another thrilling finale as improvements came in thick and fast beyond the chequered flag.

Gasly found a chunk of time on his final lap to go third behind the McLarens, while Russell and Antonelli went fourth and fifth over Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Verstappen and Tsunoda – although the Mercedes drivers were both noted for lining up at the end of the pit lane before a session resumption time had been announced.

Doohan just missed out on Q3 after a battling performance in the second Alpine, a week on from his heavy practice crash at Suzuka, with Hadjar, Alonso, the sidelined Ocon and Hulkenberg – who also did not get a lap in – completing the Q2 order.

Knocked out: Doohan, Hadjar, Alonso, Ocon, Hulkenberg