The task of predicting the result of this weekend has become more complicated after the first free practice in Imola. Few believe that Yuki Tsunoda’s third place with the Visa APP RB (the former AlphaTauri) is real, so there are many doubts that the superiority shown by Ferrari is also real. And Charles Leclerc was the one who failed the least on Friday, with a reasonably wide dominance in both the first and second free practice sessions.
It was a day with news for everyone, starting with Pirelli, which brought the softest compounds in its range, which can be good as long as the temperature does not turn it into a nightmare for the drivers and their performance. Also for the teams, which released numerous technical innovations as a great technical advance for this first part of the season.
It was here where there were more doubts, especially due to the conditions of the Imola circuit. Unlike the others, the introduction of gravel at the track limits notably punished those who sneaked in. And there were not a few: even Max Verstappen, who did not have a particularly brilliant day, saw how uncomfortable it was for him and his Red Bull to go off the track. On the narrow and winding Italian track, many ended up opting for the outside of the asphalt.
Those who failed the least were the Ferrari men, especially a Leclerc who seeks to vindicate himself after the hesitant start to the campaign. The Monegasque, leader in the two free practice sessions, showed that the new parts introduced by Ferrari aim to close the gap with Red Bull. Especially considering that, for the first time this season, neither car was in the ‘top 3’. It is not surprising about Sergio Pérez, because nothing is expected from him, but it is from Verstappen, who was uncomfortable and quite flawed throughout the day.
The Dutchman, who this weekend will combine his profession as a real driver with his hobby as a video console driver (or simulator driver, as gamers who think they are racers presume) in the 24 hours of the Nürburgring, did not have his day. Such was his superiority until now that he thought he would not need further concentration. And perhaps he does have to take his mind off what he is going to do in the comfort of his room with the toy steering wheel to focus on what feeds him and has made him a legend, since at no time has he been seen with the attitude that in other races. The Red Bull walked around the dirt a couple of times, it did not have the usual lead… The technicians’ job will be to prevent what was seen this Friday from being repeated on Saturday, since the difficulty in overtaking will make it more difficult for changes to occur. Sunday’s race.
Hamilton “thinks he is alone on the track”
Beyond the results, this Friday’s free practice made it clear that the mistake in Imola pays off. Leclerc himself and Sergio Pérez were investigated for getting in the way during the session, which even put them at risk of sanctions. In this sense, there may be more than one who can completely ruin the result, as demonstrated not only by Verstappen or Pierre Gasly, but also by Carlos Sainz who, despite the superiority of his teammate, was not quite at the same level. Sixth at the end of the day, the Madrid native was left with a slightly bitter taste at the end of the day.
But the controversy had Lewis Hamilton as its main protagonist. The seven-time champion, who next year will be a local idol after his signing for Ferrari, clearly hindered Verstappen, who did not hesitate to reprimand him forcefully and with very notable gestures, and Fernando Alonso. The other two world champions showed that their record of achievements is not enough to be afraid of a Hamilton who is not experiencing his best days, far from it.
Alonso’s disagreement with Hamilton was such that he did not hesitate to explode against him on the radio. “It is thought that he is alone on the track,” lamented the Spaniard. It is not the first time, nor possibly the last, in which the old enemies meet in the middle of the circuit eager to win a place and, furthermore, demonstrate that they still have the strength, despite their age, to even compete for positions in the free.
2024-05-17 17:18:22
#Ferrari #leaves #hope #Leclerc #Alonso #stung #Hamilton
