2023-11-18 14:19:46
LAS VEGAS – Ferrari bounced back from a disastrous first day at the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a sweep of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in qualifying on Friday evening.
That doesn’t mean 1-2 starting positions in Saturday night’s race for the Ferrari drivers, though.
Sainz is in a reserve car because his Ferrari was badly damaged when he crushed the cover of a drainage valve during testing on Thursday evening.
Because he had to switch to a second backup car, Sainz was penalized 10 places on the starting grid and will instead start 12th on Saturday evening.
Ferrari tried to object to this penalty because the damage was caused by the track surface, but the FIA does not have a clause in its rules to grant an exception.
F1 and its owner Liberty Media spent $500 million on the race which uses the Strip and incorporates many of Las Vegas’ best-known landmarks. It is the most expensive race of the season and the third most expensive race this year in the United States, more than in any other country.
“We have to learn to separate things: there is sport and there is spectacle, and you can combine the two in the right way,” Sainz said.
Still, he noted that Wednesday night’s opening ceremony and numerous celebrity events at casinos and restaurants were important.
“I see the race as a very good opportunity for F1 and I enjoy coming to Las Vegas, but I feel like we started on the wrong foot. It was a very good opportunity to send a message. I have people who have never been to a race asking me why I received a penalty. »
Leclerc said he was sorry for the criticism of the disastrous opening day.
Practice was stopped nine minutes into the first session for officials to repair valve covers. The second practice sessions started two and a half hours late and lasted until 4 a.m., and the amateurs had to leave before the second session.
“We must not forget how much work and people were necessary to put this in place. I think (the track) looks incredible,” Leclerc said. I really hope it will be an exciting race, to really show what F1 is all regarding. Yesterday was obviously a pretty bad start, but I think it’s an incredible place. »
The 6.2 km, 17-turn street circuit uses a large part of the Strip.
Max Verstappen, who is aiming for an 18th victory this season on Saturday evening, qualified third for Red Bull. He criticized the event even before it arrived, as he believes F1 has placed too much emphasis on the entertainment side.
He also called for a change in the rules, so that drivers are not penalized for incidents like Thursday’s.
“The rules need to change, it’s the same if you get knocked out or have a big accident,” Verstappen said. These things need to be taken into account. This is very harsh for Carlos. »
George Russell qualified fourth for Mercedes, followed by Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Williams drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant finished sixth and seventh. This is the best qualifying result this year for American Sargeant, a rookie.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton will start 10th, nine places ahead of Canadian Lance Stroll, with Aston Martin.
Qualification ranking :
1. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:32.726
2. Carlos Sainz fils (ESP/Ferrari) 1:32.770
3. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:33.104
4. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:33.112
5. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:33.239
6. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:33.323
7. Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:33.513
8. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 1:33.525
9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:33.537
10. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:33.555
Eliminated Q2 :
11. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)
12. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull)
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari)
14. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
15. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/AlphaTauri-Red Bull)
Eliminated Q1 :
16. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
17. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault)
18. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari)
19. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes)
20. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull)
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