Those of Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc y Carlos Sainz This Saturday they achieved first and second position on the grid of the Mexican Grand Prix of Formula 1, beating Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in Q3, while Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) will start thirteenth.
After Free Practice 3, dominated like the previous two by Mad Max, the world champion also led in Q1 and Q2 of the classification. However, Sainz improved his time in Q3 by more than a second and Leclerc did it by eight tenths, incredulous when he got out of the car, but with the first line in the Mexican event.
For the Monegasque, first with a time of 1:17.166, it is the second pole in a row, so the surprise should not be that much. Meanwhile, the Madrid native, who is coming off a third place finish in the United States GP, nailed his first grand lap of the week just at the right moment, ousted by his teammate by six hundredths.
Besides, Ferrari had the good news of Mercedes’ poor classification, in the fight for the Constructors runner-up. Fourth will be another surprise from Saturday, Daniel Ricciardo (Alpha Tauri), ahead of local idol Sergio Pérez (Red Bull). Already in sixth position is where Lewis Hamilton appears, while George Russell’s Mercedes will start eighth.
The Autodromo de los Hermanos Rodríguez gave many problems in its lack of grip, a complex route that, although it was improving, did not smile for less than a tenth at a Verstappen who will undoubtedly go on the attack this Sunday in the 800 meters until the first braking. The world champion wants the record of 16 races won in a season.
The Mexican route was even more demanding with a Fernando Alonso who suffered a spin in Q1 and did not make it past Q2. The double world champion saw his Aston Martin unable to put together a good lap, without the correct set-up with his improvements or the option to push without losing control. The Spaniard will start from the back again, thirteenth, as in Austin.
The yellow flag caused by the Asturian condemned Lando Norris who, after six podiums in a row, may see his streak and that of McLaren stopped by falling in Q1 and starting 19th. Also eliminated was Alonso’s teammate, Lance Stroll whose season is getting long, although on Sunday he can heal more than one.
2023-10-28 22:17:27
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