Splitting Mercedes in French GP qualifying “a surprise”

The McLaren driver was only ninth in FP3, behind even the Williams of Alex Albon, and thus did not enter qualifying expecting to be fighting near the sharp end.

However, in a display of impressive consistency, he was fifth in all three segments of qualifying, ending up between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on the final grid.

“Very surprised, actually,” he said of the outcome.

“I mean, after the pace in Q1 and Q2, I guess not as surprised. If you asked me before…