Those who expected to find the surprise of a Ferrari in pole position in Melbourne in the Easter egg now approaching will have to wait. On the Albert Park track it was once again Max Verstappen and his Red Bull who showed their claws in the decisive moment, i.e. in Q3.
In the shadows both in Friday’s free practice and in the first two qualifying rounds – complaining several times about a lot of understeer in the team radios – the world champion has, as if by magic, rediscovered the feeling with the tire balance that seemed lost, snatching the third consecutive pole , the 35th of his career.
A supremacy that he himself defined as “rather unexpected”. As for the Ferraris, “they seem very fast even on long runs, so it’s a bit of a question mark for the race.” In fact, a heroic Carlos Sainz will start alongside him, stronger than the after-effects of the recent appendicitis operation.
The Spaniard was so satisfied that he let slip a challenging prediction: “The race pace seems to be there. If everything is perfect, we can win”. Sergio Perez should have been in the second row with the other Red Bull, but the Mexican was moved back three places due to an irregularity against Hulkenberg. Lando Norris’s McLaren and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari thus gained a position in fourth. A good step forward for the Monegasque, who certainly seemed not satisfied with the third row. Up until Q3 everything was looking for the best, but instead “we underestimated the power of the Red Bull and I didn’t maximize the car. While yesterday I felt very confident, today we lost the front a bit. We intervened on the wing to test to do something, but it didn’t work. Tomorrow I’ll need a good start: if I can overtake Norris straight away I can attack the top positions with teamwork.”
Sainz satisfied. “If two weeks ago they had told me that I would drive in Melbourne and fight for pole I would have signed up for it – he commented – Of course, after the first two sessions I had hoped for it. And maybe if I had been at my best I would have succeeded. But to beat Max you have to be at 100% and that’s not my case. But I’m improving every day and I have no pain, just a little discomfort. That’s why we made some changes to the brake pedal and the seat.” “Something was missing in Q3” admitted Fred Vasseur, his mind now turned to the race. “The most important factor will be the tires because compared to last year we have one step softer compounds – underlined the Ferrari team principal – and limiting degradation with careful management can make the difference” during the 58 laps of the GP. Vasseur then defined Sainz’s front row as “an amazing result. His recovery was exceptional: big compliments to him and his staff who helped him. Tomorrow won’t be easy but I’m sure that his determination will allow him to compensate for any disadvantages physicists”. While the driver who will say goodbye to the Scuderia in 2025 flies, the one who will replace him is struggling. Lewis Hamilton, eliminated in Q2, will start 11th. “There isn’t a good feeling for anyone in the team at the moment – commented the Mercedes driver – but we will continue to work, hoping that tomorrow will be better”.
The starting grid
Starting grid for the Australian GP, third round of the F1 world championship, scheduled for tomorrow in Melbourne.
– 1st row: Max Verstappen (Ned/Red Bull) Carlos Sainz (Spa/Ferrari) – 2nd row: Sergio Perez (Mex/Red Bull) Lando Norris (Gbr/McLaren) – 3rd row: Charles Leclerc (Mon/Ferrari) Oscar Piastri (Aus/McLaren) – 4th row: George Russell (Gbr/Mercedes) Yuki Tsunoda (Gia/RB) – 5th row: Lance Stroll (Can/Aston Martin) Fernando Alonso (Spa /Aston Martin) – 6th row: Lewis Hamilton (Gbr/Mercedes) Alexander Albon (Tha/Williams) – 7th row: Valtteri Bottas (Fin/Sauber) Kevin Magnussen (Dan/Haas) – 8th row: Esteban Ocon (Fra/Alpine) Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas) – 9th row: Pierre Gasly (Fra/Alpine) Daniel Ricciardo (Aus/RB) – 10th row: Zhou Guanyu (Chn/Sauber)
Read the full article on ANSA.it
2024-03-23 11:59:00
#Verstappen #pole #Melbourne #Sainz #heroic
