Leclerc and Sainz Show Promise in Austrian Qualifying, But Fall Short of Pole Position
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz put in impressive performances during Friday’s qualifying session for the Austrian Grand Prix. Leclerc secured second place, just behind polesitter Max Verstappen, while Sainz claimed third position.
The Ferrari team worked tirelessly to bring updates to the car, originally intended for the Hungarian Grand Prix, to Austria. Changes to the floor and front wing seemed to have paid off, with Leclerc and Sainz showing strong pace throughout the session.
However, both drivers expressed their disappointment at not securing pole position. Leclerc stated that he is never happy with second place, only with being the first. Sainz, on the other hand, felt frustrated by Ferrari’s decision to play it safe in Q2 due to track limit violations.
Nevertheless, both drivers remain optimistic for the race, with Leclerc emphasizing the need to confirm the improvements made by the team, and Sainz focusing on putting together another strong performance. Leclerc will also be aiming to maximize his points haul in the sprint race, which awards points from first to eighth place.
Analysis: The Impact of Ferrari’s Updates and the Quest for Pole Position
Ferrari’s decision to bring updates originally intended for the Hungarian Grand Prix to Austria highlights their determination to improve their performance. The changes made to the floor and front wing seemed to have delivered positive results, as evidenced by Leclerc and Sainz’s strong qualifying positions.
However, failing to secure pole position left both drivers disappointed. Leclerc’s statement that he is never happy with second place reflects his competitive nature and desire for success. Sainz, on the other hand, expressed his frustration with the track limit violations in Q2, which forced Ferrari to adopt a conservative approach.
Looking ahead, both drivers are optimistic about the race. Leclerc’s focus on confirming the team’s improvements highlights the importance of translating qualifying pace into race performance. Sainz’s determination to put together another strong day showcases his confidence in his abilities and the team’s potential.
Leclerc and Sainz’s Mindset: Never Settling for Second Best
Leclerc’s statement that he is only happy when he is in first place exemplifies his unwavering drive for success. Despite a strong qualifying performance, he remains unsatisfied with second position. This mindset reveals his determination and relentless pursuit of victory.
Similarly, Sainz’s disappointment with third place demonstrates his ambition to constantly improve. He acknowledges the team’s decision to play it safe in Q2 but aims for higher achievements. Both drivers’ competitive spirit and refusal to settle for anything less than the best contribute to Ferrari’s overall performance.
The Importance of Ferrari’s Season and the Need for Consistency
Leclerc’s mention of this being Ferrari’s best qualifying performance, apart from Baku where they were ahead of everyone, highlights the team’s determination to excel. The season has seen its ups and downs for Ferrari, and consistent performance is crucial for their overall success.
While securing pole position in Austria may have eluded them, Leclerc and Sainz’s strong qualifying positions are a step in the right direction. The team’s focus should now shift towards maintaining this level of performance throughout the race weekend and capitalizing on the improvements made.
The Sprint Race and the Importance of Maximizing Points
The introduction of the sprint race format adds another layer of excitement and strategy to Grand Prix weekends. Leclerc’s determination to give his all in the sprint race highlights the significance of maximizing points. With points awarded from first to eighth place, every position matters in the battle for the championship.
On the other hand, Sainz’s lack of a new set of soft tires may pose a challenge in the sprint race. He will have to navigate mixed conditions and make the most of his resources to secure a strong result. The strategic decisions made during the sprint race will play a crucial role in the outcome of the main race on Sunday.
Summary:
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz showed promise in Friday’s qualifying session for the Austrian Grand Prix, securing second and third place respectively. The team’s efforts to bring updates to the car paid off, but both drivers expressed disappointment at not securing pole position. Leclerc emphasized the need to confirm the team’s improvements in the race, while Sainz focused on putting together another strong performance. The sprint race presents an opportunity to maximize points, with Leclerc aiming to make the most of it. Consistency and maximizing points will be crucial for Ferrari’s success this season.
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0.048s: that was all that stood between Charles Leclerc and polesitter Max Verstappen in Friday’s thrilling qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring, and now the two will meet at Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Ferrari went full throttle at its base in Maranello to quick updates originally intended for Hungary and take them to Austria.
And those changes to the floor and front wing seemed to have paid dividends, with Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz claiming P2 and P3 respectively in Friday’s qualifying, with Sprint Shootout and Saturday Sprintand the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, below.
READ MORE: Verstappen overtakes Leclerc for pole position in dramatic Austrian GP qualifying session
Despite that, Leclerc couldn’t hide his disappointment at not following up on his lone Azerbaijan pole at the Red Bull Ring.
“I’m never happy when I’m second, I’m only happy when I’m first,” he smiled ruefully. “Today we just missed pole position, but to be honest we also have to be realistic and look at our season, this is probably the best qualifying we’ve had, apart from Baku of course where we were ahead of everyone.
‘I’m never happy when I’m second’: Leclerc says P2 in Austrian qualifying is ‘bittersweet’
“The team has done an amazing job trying to bring these improvements as early as possible into the season and I think this has helped us so far. Now we have to confirm that in the race. But it’s bittersweet: we’re very close to Max but not close enough, which is frustrating.”
On the other side of the garage, Sainz was also apologetic, in his case over Ferrari’s decision to play it safe in Q2, after several drivers saw fastest laps scrapped for track limit violations.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix
Asked if he was disappointed with P3, Sainz replied: “A little bit, but I was also a little bit baffled by the track limits in Q2.
“I actually had to run again when I was ok with the court limits, but we played it safe, used an extra set, which maybe threw me off a bit and wasn’t ideal.
Sainz expected mixed conditions in Sprint on Saturday after being passed on the front row in Austria
“But overall I was feeling strong in the car, fast all day, which was a nice carryover from Canada and now we can focus on putting together another strong day tomorrow. But at least for Sunday, P3, I think it’s a good place to start.
Sainz will now pray for the forecasted rain for Saturday’s Sprint action, the Spaniard now without a new set of softs to fall back on if he makes it to SQ3, while Leclerc vowing to “give it my all as usual” to try and maximize his points hauling in the Sprint, which awards points from P1 (eight points) to P8 (one point).
Qualifying Highlights: 2023 Austrian Grand Prix
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.leclerc-calls-p2-bittersweet-despite-best-quali-of-2023-in-austria.3ogiW4hAmkchn4O5vrHCg5.html
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