The Ferrari driver won a tight battle, with the lap canceled for Verstappen and Sainz, fourth
MADRID, 21 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Monegasque Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) achieved pole this Friday for the United States Grand Prix, a very tight session that left the Spanish Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) in fourth position heading into Sunday’s grid, while Fernando Alonso suffered the Aston Martin debacle, falling in Q1.
Leclerc scored a nice one-on-one with world champion Max Verstappen. The Ferrari driver already won Q2 by four thousandths and the Red Bull driver seemed to take the pole by five thousandths on the last lap of Q3, but race management annulled the Dutchman’s time for exceeding the limits of the circuit.
Thus, the Prancing Horse kept the first position on the grid that Carlos Sainz achieved last year, who suffered more than his teammate, although he once again performed on a track that he likes. Austin resisted a Verstappen who had dominated free practice in the only session of the day on a sprint weekend.
The three-time world champion, who signed his World Championship two weeks ago in Qatar, overbraked at turn 19 and ran out of lap, falling to sixth position on the grid. The first line next to Leclerc went to Lando Norris who resurrected his McLaren in time, progressing like the Texan track.
The British Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) will start third, ahead of Sainz and his teammate George Russell, serving in the fight for the Constructors’ runner-up position. Verstappen, with little at stake but eager to continue his intractable condition, will undoubtedly look for a comeback from an unusual place for him, with the Alpine behind, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.
The biggest cross was that of Alonso, who for the first time this season was left out in Q1. The Asturian already had to cross his fingers in free practice, when he saw the left front tire catch fire due to excessive heating of the brake. The problem seemed to be solved and the Aston Martin ended up running well, but that of his teammate Lance Stroll did not.
However, in the qualifying session, the problems returned and Alonso, who rushed to launch his lap in Q1, was left out at the first opportunity and will start 17th on Sunday, while his teammate will start 19th. A hard blow for the Aston Martins and the supposed improvements they brought to Austin, although Saturday offers the opportunity to make up for it with the sprint.