Ferrari duo conquer Vegas: Leclerc takes pole, Sainz second by milliseconds
The Scuderia is back in action with a flawless qualifying from both drivers. Leclerc takes pole ahead of Sainz, who moves up from second to twelfth following the FIA penalty for the FP1 incident.
Ferrari drivers take the front row in Las Vegas / @ScuderiaFerrari
"I'm not happy with the situation, I'm disappointed with the sport, with the FIA, with the teams, for not being able to react in a sporting way," concluded Carlos Sainz after an optimal qualifying, with the two Ferraris posting excellent times in Q2 and Charles Leclerc taking pole position in Q3 with a time of 1:32.726, with the Spaniard just 44 thousandths of a second behind. However, this result was marred by the penalty imposed on the number 55 car following an incident in FP1 when Sainz hit a poorly secured manhole cover, causing serious damage to his car.
After some exceptional work by the Italian team's mechanics, Sainz was able to take part in all sessions from FP2 onwards, finishing second in qualifying. A second place that became twelfth on the grid because the FIA applied a 10-position penalty for the changes Ferrari had to make to the car's components, including the battery.
The decision was widely questioned in a Grand Prix that was already full of light and shade. The fact that Ferrari had to bear the cost of repairs and a heavy penalty for damage caused by the poor state of the track did not go down well with either the fans or the team. Although the stewards agreed that the penalty was undeserved, the FIA decided to apply the regulations without exception.
Penalties aside, the Maranello team proved to be in good form on a unique and fast track that seems to suit the SF-23. Tyre management will be important, although not as crucial as at other circuits, due to the low temperatures that the Nevada city reaches at night, which could be a good opportunity for Leclerc who, without Carlos, will start under pressure from Max Verstappen in second place.
But they say anything can happen in Las Vegas, don't they?
A FANTASTIC WILLIAMS AND A FEW DISAPPOINTMENTS
The British team, with Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant at the wheel, have made great strides throughout the season and surprised everyone by getting both cars into Q3, with special mention for the rookie.
Playing at home, Sargeant showed his qualities by qualifying seventh, just behind his team-mate, after a 2023 in which he was far from brilliant, especially compared to another rookie on the track, Oscar Piastri. Both Williams drivers gain a position for Sunday after Sainz's penalty.
Long faces at McLaren, with Norris and Piastri out in Q3, but also at Mercedes and Red Bull, with Hamilton qualifying eleventh and Checo twelfth, both out in Q2. Alonso will start tenth and will have to start from the back of the grid on a track that, by his own admission, is not the best for his ASM23.
