2023-05-07 19:19:44
This weekend, we are back in a more normal format than last weekend. Three qualifying sessions which determine the starting grid.
Q1 had its share of surprises with an exclusion zone just one second from the lead. It seems that on this circuit all the single-seaters are close in performance.
Q2 did not see any major scandals, apart from perhaps Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes which failed to stay in the top 10. A rather rare vision of the seven-time world champion who had hit the wall avoiding a slowing Haas. His passage through the pits to change wing cut him off in his effort and he will only start thirteenth.
Q3 is the session that made the most talk. Indeed, on this circuit, most drivers wait until the last moment to set a time, because the surface improves at the end of the session. Verstappen had no choice, since his first attempt almost ended up in the wall.
Except that when the second attempt started for just about everyone, Charles Leclerc made a straight turn and hit the wall. Not a big accident, but enough to bring out a Red Flag with just over a minute and a half remaining. The session could not be restarted with such little time and so the positions remained as such and we had some surprises. Leclerc will start seventh, but could have gone for the pole if he had stayed on the circuit.
We find ourselves with a Perez in form since his victory in Baku who will try to take the lead in the championship while his teammate and leader for the moment, Max Verstappen, will start from ninth place.
Alonso signs a new start on the front row and knowing the double world champion, his objective will be to take the lead from the first corner to try to get his first victory for almost a decade…
Sainz qualifies very well and joins a totally Spanish-speaking top 3. We’ll see if he manages to get ahead of the race, because it seems unlikely that he will be worried by those who come behind.
Indeed, the two drivers behind him are Magnussen and Gasly. La Haas signed a place, surely a bit lucky like in Brazil last year and I don’t think he can hold it knowing that Verstappen and Leclerc will come back very quickly. Gasly already has more of his place here, but as for Magnussen, it will be difficult to stand up to the two drivers who fought here last year.
In short, a very nice race awaits us!
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