F1 Monaco GP: Sainz, 70 thousandths

He was at home, with a Ferrari starting as a favorite at the F1 Monaco GP, in front of his people, on the streets where he grew up and where he always wanted to win. Last year he was unable to start from the pole due to an accident that he himself had qualifying the previous day and ended up cheering Sainz under the podium for his second position. This year it came after his abandonment of Barcelona when he was at the forefront of the race. As a result, he lost victory and leadership in the World Cup. He wanted to recover at home and started in the best way, dominating with his Ferrari F1-75 in Free Practice 1, beating Red Bull’s ‘Checo’ Pérez by just 39 thousandths and Carlos Sainz by 70 thousandths.

The start of the Spanish driver was positive. A circuit that is so complex that it leaves no room for mistakes and with the extreme closeness of the walls, it seems like a complicated scenario for the Spaniard after mistakes in the final rounds, like the round he suffered on turn 4 in beginning of the Spanish GP. He was still looking for confidence in a very oversteering car, far from his style, but on this Monegasque track Carlos began to leave a very good feeling. The layout is different to all of them, and that may be the explanation why Carlos is more comfortable on this track.

Despite this, both Carlos and all the drivers on the grid have suffered badly with these new cars, some F1 cars that are far from perfect for a track like this. The cars are very bulky and this year their biggest downforce comes from the ground, which requires speed to produce loads. As a result, these single-seaters suffer greatly in slow corners, like buses passing through crowded corners. And that was noticed by everyone, with multiple braking passes on turn 1 and in the chicane of the pool descent. And there we should add the massive rebound that everyone has in their vehicles. So, for example, Hamilton, when it comes to pits, waves his hand in a clear demonstration of how much it all costs to keep the car on track. A real challenge.

At the Ferrari, Sainz’s mechanics were seen making the front of his car softer in the first session of multiple adjustments where drivers began to approach scary walls.

Verstappen, 4th at 0 “181

It is too early but conclusions still need to be drawn. Verstappen is fourth at 0 “181 and more is expected from the Dutchman, though it remains to be seen if Red Bull will be able to improve its performance by a lap against a Ferrari that is a favorite for with his great performance in the slow corner.Max said at the wheel of the previous press, your main goal should be to “maximize points.” Think like a World Cup leader.

Fifth is Lando Norris, who this Friday morning was absent from the last press conference due to his condition after suffering from tonsillitis that has already complicated his career in Barcelona. Sixth was Gasly, ahead of Ricciardo (7th) and Russell, first Mercedes, in eighth position. The step forward for Mercedes in Barcelona is great, but in Monaco, a not very representative of the track, they should suffer more. So far, Russell has continued his good running of results against Lewis, who started again ahead of the 7-time champion, with Hamilton in 10th place nearly 3 tenths.

Alonzo, 13th

Alonso was 13th and his Alpine teammate was 16th. Start by far the best for the two French cars, who should suffer this weekend due to their worse performance in the slow corner at a GP where they are using new ground.