A monster round by Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc (26) and Carlos Sainz (29) means that they are in the two best starting places in Mexico on Sunday evening.
Published:
Less than 30 minutes ago
Updated just now
World champion Max Verstappen (26) was third in qualifying, followed by Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Pérez and Lewis Hamilton. Ricciardo from the “B-team” AlphaTauri is thus ahead of Red Bull’s Pérez.
– It is surprising how uncompetitive the Ferraris are, says the expert Henning Isdal at Viaplay early in qualifying.
But then suddenly the Ferrari drivers accelerated in Q3.
– It is incomprehensible. Everyone is taken aback by this. Where did they find this? asks the same Isdal.
– They must have held back until today, says his colleague Atle Gulbrandsen.
– I did not expect this, admits Charles Leclerc in the arena interview. It is his 22nd career pole position.
– We will see what it holds tomorrow, continues Leclerc – and does not set his hopes too high ahead of the race itself.
It is the first time since the Monaco Grand Prix in 2022 that Ferrari stands alone in the front row at the start of a Formula 1 race.
– There is poor grip due to the height. We struggled more than I had hoped, but we are close, says Max Verstappen, who last weekend won from the sixth best starting position. Now he has a third track.
– Verstappen is the big favourite, states Atle Gulbrandsen on the Viaplay broadcast.
However, the Dutchman will be scrutinized by the judges because he was waiting to drive out of the depot. He risks being placed further back on the starting plate.
Lewis Hamilton has the sixth best starting slot. He came 2nd in the USA Grand Prix last weekend – but was then disqualified because the inspectors found that the Mercedes was not in line with the regulations. The rules state that the mandatory wooden plank on the underside of Formula 1 cars must not wear below a minimum thickness of 9 mm. The cars of Hamilton and of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc did not last.
Alex Albon in Williams was second best in practice number three and had high hopes – but was unable to keep the same pace in qualifying. He finished 14th, a big disappointment.
– There is something wrong, he says despairingly on the team radio.
Fernando Alonso was only 13th, a big disappointment for the Aston Martin profile. Teammate Lance Stroll was number 18.
– Does Alonso really understand what has happened this season, asks Henning Isdal on the Viaplay broadcast.
Lando Norris (McLaren) and Logan Sargeant (Williams) had an extremely disappointing qualifying. They came in the last two places.
Published:
Published: 29.10.23 at 00:02
Updated: 29.10.23 at 00:30
Copy linkCopy linkShare on FacebookShare on FacebookShare by emailShare by email
2023-10-28 22:03:17
#Monster #Mexico #held
