Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) set the best time in qualifying and will start from pole position on Saturday for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which marks the return of Formula 1 to the city of gambling.
After a black day on Thursday, Ferrari shone on Friday with its two fastest drivers in qualifying.
For Leclerc it is the fifth pole position of the season (in Belgium he was quicker to take advantage of a penalty imposed on Verstappen) and the 23rd of his career at the age of 26.
“I am of course happy about the premiere in Las Vegas (the two Grand Prix of 1981 and 1982 were the “Grand Prix of Caesar Palace”), an incredible event. I’m still a little disappointed with my Q3, I didn’t do a great job but it was enough for pole. We will try to do everything we can to win here,” reacted the Monegasque.
For Carlos Sainz, who is just behind his teammate for the second time, the day is bittersweet as he continues to be penalized 10 places on the Grand Prix grid due to Thursday’s misfortunes.
In fact, the Ferrari driver was penalized for replacing an engine component after crashing into a manhole, which severely disrupted the first day of testing.
“The team did a great job. After a difficult day yesterday, we dominated this qualification. It’s incredible to be in the top two places,” commented the Spaniard. I did my best today. But I’m still very disappointed about what happened yesterday, I’m still angry but I’m trying not to show it too much. »
” Border “
In addition to Leclerc, the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who qualified third, will start on the front row, who is already certain to win his third world title in a row this season, having won 17 of 20 races for the time being.
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Sergio Perez (Red Bull), the two drivers fighting for the place of runner-up world champion, were eliminated in the second qualifying. They start in 10th and 11th respectively, ahead of Sainz in 12th.
“We finished a little early – four minutes before the end of the second quarter – and the other drivers continued to advance,” lamented Perez, who is known for being comfortable on city tracks.
“I really struggled to find my footing,” complained the seven-time British Formula 1 champion. “We didn’t manage to get the tires to work the whole session.”
George Russell (Mercedes) starts on the second row just ahead of Pierre Gasly (Alpine), the pleasant surprise of the day.
“It came out of nowhere, I thought it would be the most complicated track of the season,” smiled the Frenchman. The car worked well, I pushed myself to the limit and drove excellent laps.” His teammate and compatriot Esteban Ocon will only start in 16th place.
Williams at the meeting
Also note the excellent performance of the event’s ‘newbie’ and local, American Logan Sargeant, who achieved his best F1 qualifying in Vegas. He will start sixth at the wheel of his humble Williams, just behind his Thai teammate Alexander Albon.
Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) received a five-place penalty for overtaking under a yellow flag in the final free practice session the previous Friday. He will only start in 19th place.
Formula 1’s return to Las Vegas, celebrated with great fanfare, 41 years after two races held in the Cesar Palace car park in 1981 and 1982, began with an embarrassing day at the start of testing on Thursday, which was severely disrupted by a manhole cover.
Cador Verstappen was not very enthusiastic about the “not very interesting” route on the legendary Vegas Strip and the behind-the-scenes show that came with it.
His rival Lewis Hamilton, a more “bling-bling” personality, on the contrary defended the event, “You will see great racing” and the spectacle: “All my acquaintances from Hollywood will come”.
Las Vegas is the penultimate Grand Prix of the year before the season ends in Abu Dhabi next week.