Blaming Poor Sector One for the Loss of a Top Three Spot
Carlos Sainz, the Spanish F1 driver, has expressed his disappointment after missing out on a top three spot in the qualifying for the upcoming race. Sainz, who races for Ferrari, will start the race in P5 spot, behind Max Verstappen, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso. Sainz admitted that he lost a couple of tenths in sector one during the final lap which cost him the top three spot.
Changes Made to Car’s Setup for Improving Race Pace
Sainz believes that a top three start was possible for him and he is disappointed for being unable to achieve it. However, he has made some changes to the car’s setup to improve his race pace. Sainz hopes that he can keep up with the pace of the Astons and Mercedes and fight them during the competition.
Verstappen’s Chances at Winning the Race
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has got an excellent chance of winning the upcoming race. The Red Bull driver will start from the first place and has a chance to disappear on the horizon. The RB19 appeared strong in long runs during Friday practice sessions.
Red Bull’s Strategic Advantage over Mercedes
Verstappen’s car has a huge advantage in terms of top speed. In qualifying, Verstappen gained time on the straights while his rivals gained time in the corners. Red Bull’s strategic advantage in the race is due to their ability to have less downforce in the corners without losing much time on competitors. Mercedes’ task will be to find a way to attack Verstappen.
Verstappen’s Need to Create an Early Gap
Verstappen’s task is to be the first to enter Turn 1 and create a gap of at least a second in the first three laps. His challengers may have more speed in the corners, but they suffer more tire wear. Verstappen’s advantage is that his car can manage tire wear for a longer duration than his rivals.
Sergio Perez’s Elimination and Mercedes’ Surprising Performance
Sergio Perez’s elimination in Q1 opened up a spot for another driver to start the race alongside Verstappen on the front row. To the surprise of many, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton claimed P2 and P3, respectively.
The upcoming race is shaping up to be an enthralling event, with Verstappen leading the Red Bull charge and Mercedes hoping to find a way to attack him. Sainz will be looking to put his disappointment behind him and challenge for a podium spot. With so much at stake, fans of F1 racing are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling race.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
