In a difficult season for Ferrari, Carlos Sainz put a little balm in the heart of the tifosi, who, as usual, came to fill the stands of the Monza circuit en masse on Saturday. In front of an audience completely committed to the cause of the prancing horse team, the Spanish driver took pole position, his first of the season and his fourth in his career, after an epic session.
The one who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday beat Max Verstappen by a breath. Only 13 thousandths separate the Ferrari from the Red Bull, but the fight for pole position did not only concern Sainz and Verstappen. Charles Leclerc also had his say in these qualifications, even if the Monegasque failed 67 thousandths behind his teammate.
Ferrari close to penalty
The first line will therefore not be entirely red on Sunday, since Leclerc will start from third place. The two Ferrari drivers did not go far from the penalty, which would have had the consequence of spoiling their joy. To try to stem the problems with traffic jams that are commonplace at the Monza circuit, race management imposed a minimum time of 1:41 for each lap and the two Ferraris found themselves under investigation for exceeding this time. during Q1. The announcement of the absence of sanctions against the Italian team finally came when Sainz began to celebrate his pole in the parc fermé. At the best time, then.
Perez back, Albon still placed
The qualifying exercise is not the one that suits Sergio Perez the most and that was confirmed again this Saturday. On the Monza track, the Mexican driver could not achieve better than 5th time, behind the Mercedes of George Russell, and almost 4 tenths behind his teammate Max Verstappen. In the last nine qualifying sessions, Perez has only started from the front row once. It was in Belgium, at the end of July, just before the summer break.
At Williams, on the other hand, all is well, especially with Alex Albon at the wheel. The Thai driver again achieved a good performance by setting the 6th fastest time in qualifying, a week after qualifying in 4th position at the Dutch GP. The single-seater from Grove is comfortable on the long straights of the Italian circuit and can aim for big points on Sunday, during the race.
Cold shower at Alpine
Change of atmosphere at Alpine, after Pierre Gasly’s podium at Zandvoort last Sunday. Saturday for the French team came to an end as its two drivers did not go further than Q1. Gasly set the 17th fastest time, after seeing a first attempt canceled for going over the track limits at Turn 7, while Ocon, who got a scare by bouncing on the gravel at the exit of the Ascari corner, will only start 18th. “From the start, it’s been clear that it’s been a complicated weekend for us,” admitted Ocon at the microphone of Canal +.