2023-09-01 16:24:56
Ferrari birthday child Carlos Sainz secured the first best time of the day before the Formula 1 race in Italy. On his 29th anniversary, the Spaniard set the fastest lap of 1:21.355 minutes at Scuderia’s home game in Monza. Lando Norris in the McLaren (+0.019 seconds) took second place on Friday, ahead of Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, who later slipped off the track.
World Champion Max Verstappen finished fifth following setting the fastest time in first free practice on the high-speed circuit north of Milan. Record world champion Lewis Hamilton was only 17th one day following his contract was extended until the end of 2025.
“Forza Ferrari” was on posters along the route. The Tifosi hope for a red miracle – and Sainz fed their longing a little. Ferrari is only fourth in the Constructors’ Championship this season. The last Grand Prix victory for the Scuderia was in Austria in 2022. Charles Leclerc secured the last home win in Monza in 2019, now sixth in the second training session.
After only three minutes in the last session of the day, the fans around the 5.793-kilometer high-speed circuit saw a red flag. Lance Stroll had to park his Aston Martin at the Ascari corner. A problem with the fuel system slowed him down – the one-hour unit ended prematurely for him.
The second red flag came ten minutes from the end when Perez slid backwards into the gravel in the Parabolica. Verstappen, on the other hand, wanted to step on the gas, but was slowed down by the pits. “Max, we haven’t qualified yet,” said the command post.
Verstappen leads the drivers’ standings by a wide margin ahead of the 14th Grand Prix of the season. After nine wins in a row, he is already 138 points ahead of Perez. If Verstappen also wins on Sunday (3 p.m., live ORF 1), he sets a record. So far he is level with Sebastian Vettel following victories en suite. “Everyone enjoys this winning streak,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, whose racing team has won all 13 Grands Prix this year. And so it should continue for Red Bull.
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