Carlos Sainz will start the Belgian Grand Prix from pole position, but once he arrived at the Parc Ferme the Ferrari driver gave the feeling of being more worried than satisfied.
The start at the post, in fact, he inherited from Max Verstappen, who will have to serve a penalty for having replaced several elements of the power unit and will move back to the rear of the group. And the Dutchman of Red Bull had trimmed a gap of 632 thousandths. An eternity, especially if we consider that the leader of the world classification has completed only one run in Q3 to preserve a set of tires for the race.
This is why the Spaniard of the Cavallino did not hide his concern for the gap remedied by Verstappen. Also because Sergio Perez’s other RB18 will be sharing the front row with him, so limiting it in the race may not be easy. And Max also seems to have a good chance of a comeback.
“It was a pretty good lap. I’m happy to start from pole, but not so happy to see the gap I took from Max and the advantage Red Bull has over us. We need to continue to analyze things to understand why we are so far away on this track. However, pole is a good position, so we will try to win tomorrow, “said Sainz in the usual interviews at the end of qualifying.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
Photo by: Erik Junius
Ferrari also tried a game of wakes, with Charles Leclerc who, in turn having to serve a penalty like Verstappen, put himself at the service of his teammate.
“My first attempt in Q3 was cleaner, because the launch lap of the second was a bit of a mess. I struggled to get in front to get the wake, but the first lap was enough to get the second position. I knew he would give me pole “.
In any case, the concern for the gap towards Red Bull seems to be the dominant feeling in the mood of the son of art, who however is convinced that in reality the difference in the race pace is not as great.
“But I am a bit disconcerted to see the gap on Max and Red Bull. I wonder what will happen tomorrow in the race, because I think we are in better shape than in qualifying, but surely we have to find something.”
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