Overview
- Team Verstappen will start fourth after Friday's pole shootout, with Dani Juncadella lapping the #3 Mercedes in 8:12.005.
- Lucas Auer advanced the car through Top Qualifying 1, then Max Verstappen set an 8:11.614 in TQ2 to place sixth and secure a spot in the final session after late improvements threatened to knock the entry out.
- Pole went to the #84 Team ABT Lamborghini as Luca Engstler clocked 8:11.123 to lead a Lamborghini front-row lockout.
- Mercedes entries carry a 35 kg balance‑of‑performance increase and 34.5 mm restrictors, limiting straight‑line speed and likely pushing strategy toward managing traffic and tire life.
- Record demand has sold out the weekend and prompted tighter crowd control after a photographer scrum, with organizers asking Verstappen to skip the parade for safety.