Next to him, qualifying sixth George Russell (Mercedes) will go into second place in the European final on Sunday (3 p.m. / live ORF1, Sky) because a whole squad around world champion Max Verstappen has been relegated to new engine parts. The world champion is fourth in the race.
No fewer than nine drivers, ie almost half of the starting field, had to put up with demotions due to new parts exceeding the permitted contingent. Good for the motorsport premier class that at least the Saturday fastest Leclerc keeps the sporting reward for his best time. “It’s wonderful,” said the 24-year-old after the successful attempt on the last push-off. “I didn’t expect to be here at the Poles to fight.”
In 2019 Leclerc had his Poles Position converted into his second career win at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. Number six could follow on Sunday. “I think we have the pace to win the race,” said Leclerc.
Verstappen will object. The Dutchman, who was well ahead in the World Championship race, was somewhat surprising after the best time in the third practice session, 145 thousandths of a second slower than his Ferrari opponent. Verstappen is looking forward to catching up. “It was a good lap, the package is right for tomorrow.” His motto: “Stay out of traffic and difficulties and get away quickly.”
In addition to Verstappen, the third, fourth and fifth-placed drivers, Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari, Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull and Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton, were sometimes pushed far down the grid.
Helmut Marko seemed impressed by the Scuderia’s top speed, but relies on the racing performance of his star. “In race speed we were still good, if not better than Ferrari.” Of course, they will also try to attack Leclerc, said the Red Bull consultant. This is even more true because Marko had initially seen Verstappen in seventh place on the grid given the penalties.
“If necessary, we’ll be second – that’s still enough,” said Marko on ORF, looking at his protégé’s 109-point lead. In Monza, however, Verstappen has never been on the podium. Last year, the beneficiary was Daniel Ricciardo after Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crashed in the World Cup fight.
A good three hours after the end of qualifying, there was still guesswork about the final starting positions. “Wanted to post my starting position tomorrow, but I have no idea. Does anyone know?” commented Alpine driver Esteban Ocon on Twitter.
Away from the top players, Nyck de Vries took advantage of his unexpected chance. The Dutchman, who had stepped in at short notice for Alexander Albon (appendicitis) in the Williams, made it into the second qualifying phase in contrast to regular driver Nicholas Latifi, who had already been counted. The orgy of penalties made it possible for De Vries to start his race debut in eighth place. In Formula 2, the Brazilian Felipe Drugovich secured the title on Saturday.
Source: Nachrichten
