Leclerc, pole against Sainz and a more earthy Verstappen in Las Vegas; Alonso, come back

On roulette wheels of casinos Las Vegasthis Saturday, a loud ‘everything’ will be heard. Ferrariwith an enormous top speed in a straight line which he has already shown monzais emerging as favorite for pole in Las Vegasa circuit where also, Max Verstappen He’s not on another planet, he’s earthy and it doesn’t seem comfortable to him red bull. The opportunity for Ferrari is perfect. He can aim for pole and dream of victory, his second of the year. The first opportunity was taken by Carlos Sainz in Singapore, with the only non-Red Bull victory this year in the 20 races we have. And in the penultimate race of the season, Leclerc will try.

Charles This Saturday he is the favorite to take pole position against Verstappen. Sainz He could have contested it, but the 10-place penalty for replacing a battery damaged by a sewer that should have been checked and fixed by the FIA ​​previously, meant he couldn’t prove it. Charles was the great opponent and he did not disappoint. Monegasque achieved pole position in F1 Las Vegas GP in front of Sainz (2nd, but starts on the 12th) and Verstappen a classification full of surprises.

Massive equality in the grid is increased by joining Verstappen in the group for being weaker on this track. The uncertainty is huge because of how much the urban asphalt improves as the minutes pass. It is important to set a time in the last moments of each session. The traffic, the risk of any accident against the walls or any yellow flag can generate surprises. But they still arrived without the need for incidents, simply because of the enormous equality that exists in F1 after a Max that this time without a car from another league.

The surprises are great from the start, so much McLarenwhich proved to be the second best car in most races in the second half of the season, with tremendous consistency on all types of tracks, saw its two cars, Norris and Piastrithey were left the first time. Norris (16th) and Piastri (19th) They were removed in Q1. Unbelievable. And in Q2, another remarkable news will come, the elimination of Lewis Hamiltonwhich was 11th (gained one position due to Sainz’s sanction).

Surprises in Q1 and Q2

Until then, only one thing is clear: the supremacy of Leclerc. The Monegasque was fastest in Q1 and Q2, without showing a single crack at one of his great specialties: going fast in a corner. ‘Il Principino’ put Verstappen almost 8 tenths behind in Q2 and came in as the clear favorite for the final Q3 match Maxa Sainz which has 10 penalty spots and a Fernando Alonso that in Las Vegas he found stronger and sharper weapons than expected on this track with so many straights.

The piercing of the two McLarenof hamilton and Sainz’s 10 places could give wings to the Asturian, who wants to take advantage of it in Q3 on his last lap. He was the first out in Q3 to set his time to ensure a time before anyone could crash into the dangerous walls of Las Vegas. And behind him, Sainz and Leclerc are like two planes.

Leclerc, intractable with Sainz attached; Alonso starts 9th

Charles set the best time in the first attempt in Q3 with only 22 thousandths of an advantage Carlos Sainz. The two Ferraris fly down the long straight. Verstappen He placed 3rd in 83 thousandths, against the ropes, with the need to take risks in the next last bullet to aim for that pole. Alonso placed 4th by half a second, with Gasly 5th at 0”7 and Magnussen, 6º to 1”2. AND Russell I am far away. The unknown remained in the two Williams, very fast in the straight, which did not set their first time aside Bottas.

And in the last attempt, the most important for improving the track, Leclerc confirmed his dominance, which exceeded only 44 thousandths a Sainz which goes from being able to start in 2nd, to making it to 12th position. The third is Verstappen at 0″378, who has no options to do it Charlesalthough he will start 2nd tomorrow after winning Carlos’ place. Russell he starts 3rd (at 0″386), Gasly starts 4th (at 0″513), Albon starting on the 5th, Sergeant6th, with Bottas 7th and Magnussen, 8th. Alonso, who made a good first lap, could not complete his good classification with a good last attempt. He went from the aspirant to the third starting spot, being overtaken by all his rivals in the last attempt.