Many emotions are expected for the Spanish F1 GP classification. People know this and that’s why they filled the stands of the Catalan track. No one wants to miss the relentless battle between two Ferraris, Sainz and Leclerc, and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. But in the end, the reality exceeds everyone’s expectations in a crazy classification where there are two final unexpected twists. Leclerc took pole position against Max and the start in Barcelona, between Monegasque and Dutchman, promises intense emotions. Carlos Sainz will start in third position, with the need to come back to win against his men.
This will be the Grand Prix where Ferrari responds to Red Bull’s major improvements. Charles Leclerc, head of the world championship, led all the free sessions and everything seemed to be under control. But as in the ‘Mbappé’ case, there are still many twists and turns in a classification where almost everything happens. Leclerc went from being left behind, went in Q3 booking two sets of new soft tires, to being on the ropes for a mistake in the last chicane of the Catalan track, spinning. Sainz was first, but Verstappen had a big blow in a real vueltón where he surpassed the Madrid native by 0.350. One last attempt left. Carlos had a turn in the sack and he was able to continue the attack. Leclerc had to take a risk to get the pole, but knowing that any mistake could sink him into the standings and complicate his weekend. Despite this, Charles gave a recital with a great turn, emphasizing his great form, to beat Verstappen by 0.323.
Max and Sainz’s attempt remains. And there came the theatrical blow. Everyone expects the Dutchman to hit. But Max was left with honey on his lips due to a power problem. He couldn’t try and he had to settle for second position. For his part, Carlos did not make a good first sector and that prevented him from moving positions, staying out of a very important first line.
Of the 31 previous editions of this Grand Prix, in 28 of them a driver who started in the front row won because of the difficulty to overtake. Carlos is left here, but all is not lost. Only Fernando Alonso has won since further back, 5th, in 2013. Now, Carlos will try to go into comeback starting third, against Max, Charles and the statistics.
In fourth position George Russell finished, again defeating his teammate Lewis Hamilton in qualifying, both with a Mercedes that made it clear he was approaching. Pérez was 5th and Hamilton, 6th ahead of his former teammate Bottas (7th).
Alonzo, 17th
Fernando Alonso was removed from Q1, in the first change, hit by a bad position where his engineers brought him to the track on his last attempt. The Spaniard finished 12th on his first lap and, due to the improved track, he had to try again. But they took him with a small margin to cross the finish line. He had to push but Norris was in front of him and he couldn’t wait to open the gap. He tried it, but quickly raised his foot. Glued to the car in the front it is impossible to thrive.
Esteban Ocon is luckier. His first attempt was quick and he took too much risk without getting off the track for the second lap. Despite improving the track, he didn’t fall in the hair and was 15th. Finally, he was 12th, not entering Q3 with an Alpine that suffered this Saturday.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
