Starting grid Classification and times
2023 World Cup Alpine wants to keep Alonso and loan Piastri
Free practice 3 Verstappen, the fastest
The disputes for the primacy were left behind for
Charles Leclerc
and
Carlos Sainz
, who in Paul Ricard provided a beautiful choreography, with the value of
pole position
.
"It was a great team effort and without his help it would have been much more complicated," admitted Leclerc after his best lap of the weekend (1:30.872), 30 hundredths ahead of
Max Verstappen
and 46 better than
Sergio Pérez
.
Sainz's selfless work, with a couple of decisive slipstreams, was decisive for Ferrari to take his first step, although not the most important.
Because we still have to wait for Red Bull, which seems to better control tire degradation on asphalt at almost 60ºC.
And because Ferrari, with Sainz starting from the bottom of the grid, will feel numerically and strategically inferior.
In case of mistakes or stumbles,
Lewis Hamilton
and
George Russell
will join the fight for the podium with their increasingly evolved Mercedes.
Earlier on Saturday, Sainz had confirmed the changes to his engine components.
A decision that exposed him to penalties, but that opened a window of relief for Leclerc.
Despite not playing anything, he not only held out on the track until Q3, but also worked hard to propel the Monegasque in his wake.
His SF75 setup was certainly not the most aggressive, but Sainz drove with exemplary application.
His best lap, in Q2, allowed him to lead Verstappen by nine tenths.
"I guess that's enough, isn't it?", the man from Madrid commented on the radio after rounding off that fantastic time (1:31.081).
Watching the mirrors, trying to synchronize the movement with total precision, Sainz made way for Leclerc between turns 10 and 11. A very fast area, which does not allow hesitation.
This maneuver only works if there is full trust between the two.
Without previous rehearsals, both embroidered it.
Mattia Binotto
, boss of the
Scuderia
, should feel very proud.
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Fernando Alonso
Carlos Sainz Jr.
Max Verstappen
Sergio Perez
Red Bull Racing