F1 Fans Take a Stroll Down the Memory Lane as Crazy Russian GP Qualifying Ends 17-Year Dry Streak

All the Motorsports fans had thought the Russian GP would be focused only on Mercedes thanks to the team’s dominance on the Sochi circuit. But the trio of Norris, Sainz, and Russell gave us all a huge surprise.

On Saturday, when all hopes were lost as Verstappen and Charles retired from the qualification and Raikkonen was out in Q1, the young gang of Formula 1 made sure the fans held on to the edge of their seats with anxiety.

And at the end of the qualification, we had our first-time-pole-sitter in Norris, followed by Carlos Sainz from Ferrari, and George Russell from Williams. Then, the Twitterati started bringing up the 2004 Brazilian GP which saw a similar qualification result.

It’s been a while ⁠
⁠
We haven’t seen a McLaren, Ferrari and Williams top 3⃣ in qualifying since 2004 ⁠#F1 #Formula1 #RussianGP #Autosport pic.twitter.com/VfqN2AGMKF

— Autosport (@autosport) September 25, 2021

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Unexpected qualification results, Mercedes nowhere in the top 3

While Lewis Hamilton was a favorite for the top spot at the qualification, his luck did not turn out to be so good. Even though Verstappen, his nearest competitor, retired early from the session, Lewis only came fourth. His future teammate George Russell pushed him down one rank at the very last moment of Q3.

Formula One F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – September 10, 2021 Williams’ George Russell arrives at the circuit REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Russell, who is trying to make his last mark as a Williams driver before moving to Mercedes in 2022, said, “It is crazy, it’s the second time in the top three in the last three or four events.

“The team have done an amazing job again. It was tricky out there. Well done to Lando and Carlos and I’m excited for tomorrow.”

Lando Norris becomes the star of the evening

While Russell gave a fantastic performance, the day was all about McLaren prodigy Lando Norris who got P1 after a spectacular lap-time of 1:41.993s. With this, the 21-year-old has become the fifth-youngest pole-sitter of all time. When asked about his comments on this big moment, he said, “It feels incredible. To dream of this since I was a little kid, and now, for it to actually happen!”

Formula One F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – September 12, 2021, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo celebrates winning on the podium with second-place McLaren’s Lando Norris and McLaren CEO Zak Brown REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Carlos Sainz, the Ferrari debutant, also gave a stellar performance to take his team name to where it belongs—among the top 3.

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Right after the qualifying ended, fans took to Twitter to express how much they had missed the McLaren-Ferrari-Williams top-3 on Saturday.

Williams have made so much improvement since 2019 its so good too see. Russell has been a key in their improvement

— Kartikeya Chauhan (@KartikeyaChau19) September 26, 2021

Those were the days!

— Usman Ahmed (@usmanA23) September 26, 2021

The OGs

— Weltmeister (@multi21tweets) September 25, 2021

Many of them were quick to point out that it was in 2004, when Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari), Kimi Raikkonen (who was then in McLaren), and Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams) secured the top 3 spots for the Brazilian GP.

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