Free Training 2 Australian GP: Sainz prepares the ground and Alonso is surprised

It may seem crazy to get up at 5:00 am (Spanish time) to follow the Australian GP’s Free Practice 3 this Saturday. Or at 8:00 am to see the classification. But believe me, it might be worth it. Or as if after seeing the first day of free training held this Friday at melbournewithin Albert Park Circuitwith the Carlos Sainz leaving a very good feeling, preparing the ground in FP2 for a day that could be overwhelming for him, and a Fernando Alonso which showed its unexpected performance Alpine.

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And F1 seems to be a major course for Saturday, and of course, for Sunday, after Ferrari once again showed strength this Friday and that. Verstappen he could feel her speed. A new fight is coming between Leclerc, who leads Free 2, Verstappen (2nd) and Carlos Sainz (3rd). Do not be guided by the exact positions of these second training sessions. For the third time, I think the charm for Carlos. His start is promising in Melbourne and he can now argue with everyone.

The Spaniard is once again looking to achieve his first pole position and his first victory in F1. It seems to be doing it with more weapons than the first two races. He suffered uncomfortably Bahrain and second. take a step forward Jeddah which allowed him to brush the pole but could not match the racing speed of his two opponents. He knew very well what he needed to improve and he wanted to join that fight as soon as possible. And with no more time to waste, Carlos Sainz’s start in Australia promises to do just that. Madrilenian may be in the ointment. But for this he had to finish the job.

I’m sure Marc Gene in ‘DAZN F1’. The Catalan of ferrari, with access to radio and data, confirmed that Sainz will be able to put in his best weekend, that he is comfortable in the car and that he can approach his best level according to his start. And the best example of this is right from the start charles leclerc had to refer to the telemetry of Carlos to correct things. He set the tone from the start, which was faster than Leclerc in Free Practice 1, and he was also faster against Monegasque in his first qualifying simulation time in Free Practice 2 even though he had to abort his first attempt and do it on his fourth lap rubber. . Subsequently, the Spaniards continued to be superior, until Leclerc finally overtook Carlos on a subsequent great lap where he joined all his sectors, marked later than Carlos, who did not respond. He wanted to do it with ‘qualy’.

Tough fight for the pole

The battle against the clock this Saturday in between Leclerc Y sainz it can be exciting. But the main question is knowing how much is saved Verstappen with his Red Bull. Theoretically, layout remodeling favors those Milton Keynes because a chicane was removed for a depth. red bullwith a higher lead, seems to be the favorite in that aspect, and although Ferrari led both sessions, seeing Max second at 0 “245 from Leclerc without him being the fastest in the second sector, should be indicates the huge power allocated Max to go for the pole this Saturday.

Despite Red Bull’s favoritism, drivers have found less grip than expected, which could benefit Ferrari and make Red Bull put in a bit more load that takes some speed up straight. It will be a matter of details, such as tires. red bull It seems to further lower the soft tire, the softest compound in the Pirelli range. The unscrupulous tire can reach the end of his quick lap attempt without the tire until the last corner. happened to Verstappen on her first attempt and having to abort, notice how much she and most have to take care of the tires.

Alonso was fourth

Alpine It left a very good feeling at first, but it was only Friday. The French car struggled in the first two rounds to take the lead in the central zone and become third in the best car, and in Melbourne it seemed even better. Alonso is fourth and Or included He’s sixth, but everything could change this Saturday when everyone turns on their machines. So far, Fernando seems to have secured a few extra positions by further squeezing the potential of his new machine (the third in three races), as he is the fastest behind two Red Bulls in the second sector and fastest in the third sector. . . However, the Alpine is already the third best car in pure performance in Jeddah and in Australia it can be boosted by its straight speed. The Gallic team opted for a great result.

Alpine the goal is set to put its two cars in Q3 and possibly opt for fifth and sixth place in Alonso Y Or included. His great rivals must be bootswith the Alfa Romeoand it is necessary to see if it is possible Mercedeswho was far behind this Friday, along with Russell 11th and hamilton in 13th place. McLaren He seems to have taken a step forward, included Norris 8th at Rucciardo in 10th position, finding Q3 this Saturday in a middle spot that will once again be tight.