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I hope so. Ideally, I would want Max to be closer to Lando and Leclerc so that we could have a proper WDC battle going into the final race of the season, but it's looking unlikely.
Didn't someone say the other day on here Sainz has never qualified within 4 tenths of Leclerc in this track?CouncilorIrissa wrote: ↑14 Sep 2024, 15:20Just leave Vasseur as both TP and TD at this point. /s
Charles has done the Charles thing around this track. Sainz could've been better, 4 tenths is just too much, even in Baku.
On the other hand, given Sainz's tendency to push too hard early in the stint, maybe it's not that bad that he's behind Oscar...
It's so sad that Ferrari had that mid-season slump from Montreal to Austria. Apart from those 4 races Lcclerc has never finished below P4. Even if he only got P4 during those 4 races + sprint he'd be up 41 points and legitimately in the championship fight. Throw in a couple podiums or a win and he'd be around 30 pts behind. Ferrari would be leading the WCC as well.
Don't think Sainz has outqualified anyone in Baku in his career so I don't particularly mind this performance.ScuderiaLeo wrote: ↑14 Sep 2024, 15:23Didn't someone say the other day on here Sainz has never qualified within 4 tenths of Leclerc in this track?CouncilorIrissa wrote: ↑14 Sep 2024, 15:20Just leave Vasseur as both TP and TD at this point. /s
Charles has done the Charles thing around this track. Sainz could've been better, 4 tenths is just too much, even in Baku.
On the other hand, given Sainz's tendency to push too hard early in the stint, maybe it's not that bad that he's behind Oscar...
I can't fault him he still outqualified everyone but Piastri. It was a solid lap, just not a Leclerc level lap. I have faith he'll play the team game for Leclerc because the team should understand how vital a win here is, no use in wasting it by fighting between the drivers.
Was curious so I looked it up:
- 2023: SAI P4, .8
- 2022: SAI P4, .55
- 2021: SAI P5, .7
Sainz did a 41.576 in 2021, and Lec did 41.218, that's not .7 secondsScuderiaLeo wrote: ↑14 Sep 2024, 15:23Didn't someone say the other day on here Sainz has never qualified within 4 tenths of Leclerc in this track?CouncilorIrissa wrote: ↑14 Sep 2024, 15:20Just leave Vasseur as both TP and TD at this point. /s
Charles has done the Charles thing around this track. Sainz could've been better, 4 tenths is just too much, even in Baku.
On the other hand, given Sainz's tendency to push too hard early in the stint, maybe it's not that bad that he's behind Oscar...
I can't fault him he still outqualified everyone but Piastri. It was a solid lap, just not a Leclerc level lap. I have faith he'll play the team game for Leclerc because the team should understand how vital a win here is, no use in wasting it by fighting between the drivers.
Was curious so I looked it up:
- 2023: SAI P4, .8
- 2022: SAI P4, .55
- 2021: SAI P5, .7
Woops, I was looking at the wrong times lol!CouncilorIrissa wrote: ↑14 Sep 2024, 15:27
Sainz did a 41.576 in 2021, and Lec did 41.218, that's not .7 seconds
Even if Leclerc can't win the WDC, getting P2 would still be amazing for him. I think it's okay to want him to pass Norris at least, even if winning is pretty delusional.
The start and handling the potential multiple safety cars will be crucial tomorrow I guess and the McLaren likes clean air more than most it seems so, like you say, gotta keep him behind.Vanja #66 wrote: ↑14 Sep 2024, 16:24Well executed Q3, direct competitors failed to deliver and the chance was taken at the right time. First lap will be very important for building the gap, otherwise that pole position won't be worth a thing. Strategy and pit stops will be crucial for the rest of the race
Solid pace from the 4th best car
Sainz:In 2021 and 2023, we didn't have the car to win, but luckily, we finished on pole. In 2022, we had the right car, but unfortunately, the engine blew up. Tomorrow, we will see: I haven't done a lap with a lot of fuel yet, so it will be important to adapt very quickly. But this year, we are stronger in race pace than in a single lap. That gives me confidence. There is always a difference between what is on paper and what will actually happen, but I will do everything I can to be perfectly prepared tomorrow and finish the job.
I don't consider this to be my home GP (laughs), but it's a circuit where I feel comfortable. After the mistake, I was quite confident anyway, also because I regained confidence in that corner in FP2 and FP3. I was happy with the car; I practically didn't change anything compared to FP1, and it was pretty much the same car up until qualifying. It's quite rare, but I felt good and knew I could change the car's balance with my driving. Whenever it's like that, I feel very comfortable.
Drivers feeling positive, let's have a good race!!I think I found something in Q3 that could have helped me in Q1 or Q2, but I'm happy to start from the third position. Yesterday, I was among the fastest over the long run, and I'm confident that things can improve in the race. If we do a good job tomorrow, we can try to win with either Charles or me. A one-two finish here would be important for the team and for the Constructors' Championship, where we are close.
Among the top eight, there is at most two-tenths of a second difference. It only takes a small change in balance to be ahead of the others, and I hope it will be us. I am convinced that we can achieve a good result tomorrow, with the number one goal being to finish in first place.
This third place is certainly not exceptional, but it is decent. I would have liked to be on the front row, but I have always struggled a lot on this circuit in the past. It's one of those circuits where you are not very fast from FP1 and then have to adapt: for Charles, it's totally the opposite. He is always very fast, and it comes naturally to him.
