Sprint Imola: Verstappen wins with a magical finish and great return from Sainz

the current king Max Verstappen no plans to resign. He was alive and kicked. The start of the World Cup has been favorable to Leclerc, with great driving behind the wheel of the best car on the grid in this new season of F1. But Max sent a clear message this Saturday to the sprint race of Imolatook the win and the first starting position for this Sunday’s race with a spectacular final overtaking that was worth more than the 8 points he earned.

The reliability of your red bull it resulted in him retiring in two of the first three races, which caused him to reach this career very far in the overall classification, at 46 points. But world Too long. There are 20 races left. Y Verstappen He clarified that if his car was with him, he would definitely be fighting for another title. That’s what the number 1 bib probably whispered in his ear when he overtook Charles on the penultimate lap in a sprint test that seemed completely controlled by Leclerc.

Charles In theory he had the fastest car, on a favorable track, and moreover, in front of some grandstand full of ‘tifosi’ who went crazy when they saw a red car in front and the other Italian racing car from Sainz who overtook up to 6 cars toward the 4th finish. Monegasque was able to keep his opponent more than a second behind throughout the race, but in closing laps, ‘MadMax’ he did his thing. On his side is the best tire damage of his car compared to Ferrari, an aspect he took advantage of to tilt the race in his favor.

The Dutchman approached Leclerc, tried with 3 more laps, and completed his overtake with DRS on the main straight, outside, threatening more than a Charles who this Sunday wanted to return the coin starting in second position.

Pérez finished in third place, taking advantage of his best speed red bull beat a Magnussen diluted (8th) and a Norris that he is not in position (he is 5th). And just behind, a Carlos Sainz immense that the great cheerleader of the race until Max he pulled his best rabbit out of his hat.

Sainz, great

Carlos Sainz was in front of him with a difficult ballot. After Australia’s abandonment and his qualifying accident, and in front of his public, he could no longer afford another setback. But at the same time, he had to take risks. I know I have one of the best cars on the grid, and even that is Imola Maybe hard to overtake, he went all out. So after the first corner, the guy from Madrid was eighth. Another pilot, after the failure and see how his partner is the leader of world and without fail, would have sunk. Don’t Carloswho again showed his mental strength to complete a great comeback, from 10th to fourth position.

The madrilenian festival started at the start, gaining two positions in the first meters, managed to put himself parallel to an Alonso that he passed shortly after despite no DRS yet. And with DRS its grand finale. The Australian was lucky to be shot then Magnussen, so that he can defend himself against DRS. But when the McLaren replaced by danish sainz did not miss the opportunity. The pilot was removed Hass to get 6th and soon he stuck with the Australian and caught up with him to be 5th. There are 7 turns to the left and I am 5 “6 from Norrisbut riding at a great speed, the Spanish simply did not comply Landau, but it happened to him inadvertently to sit in fourth and see in front of him an image with more light as compared to ‘worthy’. From fourth place, Carlos wants to fight it all out and join the fight between Max and Charles this Sunday.

Alonso dissolves

Fernando Alonso He started fifth and smiled before getting into his car, with the clear goal of gaining starting positions. But something happened at the start of the formation lap, when the car seemed to be stuck in place, warning that today would not be Asturian day. The Spaniard could have started, but when the traffic lights went out, the Spaniard’s first meters were not good and he lost two positions, to be 7th. From there, the rhythm of Alpine it melted, especially due to severe damage to the tires, one of the points on which it should focus Alpine. he was defeated sainz Y bootstwo cars with more speed, ending in ninth position, out of points.

This Sunday, the Oviedo native will try to recover. His goal should be to score, but he will try to take advantage of any ‘safety car’ or options that may come up. So far, in the sprint race there is already an initial safety car due to hitting from Gasly to Zhou. Just an appetizer of madness to be experienced this Sunday.