In a hectic session, in which more than 20 times were canceled for exceeding the limits of the track, Max Verstappen was closer than ever to losing pole position, even more than in Monaco, before someone other than his partner. the dutch saldr on Sunday at the first mark on the grid, followed by a Leclerc who caressed the feat and stayed at 0.048, after a vueltn with signature of author. Carlos Sainz, who is recovering a high level again, will start third, with many options to achieve his first podium of 2023 and also in the bid for the victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Alonso did not find the sensations
Ferrari resurfaces, Mercedes stagnates and Fernando Alonso will start seventh tYou had a final lap in which you failed to get your best sectors together. He did not look comfortable at any time and for the second time, after Becelona, he is surpassed by his partner, Lance Stroll, who usually gets more than three tenths. In montmel the Asturian had the damaged groundbut this Saturday something similar does not happen to him that explains the decrease in his performance. He will have to come back with a car that usually handles better in the race and that in tire management can find a way to reach the podium. If any of the above fail. It doesn’t seem like the best scenario for the 33, but ruling it out for victory is too risky.
Czech and the endless drama
In Spielberg, Sergio Pérez was fighting to the thousandth with Verstappen for pole in terms of times, but in Q2, for pushing too much without need, he saw how his three best times remained, with which he finished 15 and last of the second sleeve. It is the fourth time, since Monaco, that he has been dropped from the top ten, this time with more responsibility, since he was comfortable, he had a margin and the times were coming. The pressure that comes from within may have affected him in that need to overcome Verstappen at every attempt, instead of taking risks in the final stretch.
Q2: Sainz second, Alonso seventh
Ocon and Checo were eliminated off the track, like Russell and Piastri, a carnage of illustrious and aspiring stars. Sainz was shaping up to fight for pole position against Verstappen.
In the case of the Mexican, his lap was taken away three times as he was with all four wheels outside the white line. It is not understood why ensuring the return was within all of them. Another time that the one from Jalisco does not reach Q3. He must start 15 and it is his fourth consecutive time without entering the top 10.
Q1: Sainz passed as third and Alonso as seventh
No problem for the two Spaniards, who only needed a game of tires to pass with sufficiency. Verstappen and Checo dominated with ease and two tenths about the Madrid of Ferrari.
Fernando was hindered by Piastri, but his action was not investigated. De Vries, eliminated last and in a fatal spiral. An F2 and Formula E champion who is not giving the level for F1, even if they fill their mouths when they say that in those categories there are 20 better drivers than those of the Great Circus.
