Although it may seem that Max Verstappen and Red Bull were destined to start the new season with another pole position, in reality, it was Ferrari and Charles Leclerc who missed out on the pole. If Leclerc had been able to replicate his time in Q2 in Q3, he would have been faster than Verstappen by 0.014s.
For Leclerc, it all originated from the decision made in Q1 to use a second set of soft tires. He was 0.3s behind his teammate Carlos Sainz in that session, who chose to stay on track while everyone else went out for their second runs. The track conditions were expected to improve as it cooled down and gained grip. Leclerc questioned the decision to use another set of new soft tires, even as he lined up in the pitlane.
As it turned out, Leclerc didn’t need to complete that second run and abandoned it. However, this meant that he had already covered a certain distance with that set of tires. Unlike the Red Bull drivers, who had five new sets of tires, Leclerc had only used two of his four sets. One set was needed to get through Q2, and that’s when he set a faster lap time than Verstappen’s pole position.
In Q3, Leclerc did his first run with the worn tires before switching to his last new set for his final lap. However, he struggled with the used set, losing pace and needing to readapt to the new tires and changes in track conditions. This resulted in him being 0.242s slower than his time in Q2. Giving such a significant advantage to Verstappen and Red Bull was disappointing for Leclerc.
On the other hand, Red Bull and Verstappen managed to extract the maximum performance from their car, which was not easy to set up on this track. Verstappen had expressed doubts about the car’s performance after FP3, but it proved to be enough to secure the pole position.
The absence of Verstappen at the top of the time sheets during the practice sessions was initially attributed to conservative engine modes or fuel weight. However, it was actually due to the car being difficult to balance compared to the others. This task was particularly challenging at the Sakhir track, where the setup demands for qualifying and the race were significantly different. The impact of any setup changes was amplified by the track conditions and crosswinds.
Ferrari has traditionally been more accessible in terms of finding the right setup, especially in variable conditions. In contrast, Red Bull and Mercedes required more work to unlock their potential. Verstappen acknowledged the difficulties they faced during the weekend but continued to make improvements during qualifying.
It is possible that the supposed performance advantage of Red Bull may have affected Ferrari’s confidence and decision-making. Despite Leclerc’s comparable lap times, there seemed to be skepticism within the team. The RB20 and SF-24 cars achieve similar lap times, but through different means. Red Bull is faster in sector one, while Ferrari excels in the downforce demands of the middle sector.
Although Ferrari’s race pace appears to be more consistent this year, it is still slightly behind Verstappen and Perez. Leclerc believes they are closer to Red Bull but still have more to show in the race.
The question remains whether Verstappen will dominate the season, leaving Ferrari to fight with Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin, or if we will see a repeat of the start of the 2022 season. Only time will tell.
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The sports world is in shock with the breaking news that has just been released. A reliable source has revealed that one of the biggest stars in world football is about to sign a million-dollar contract with a Brazilian club. According to exclusive information obtained by our newspaper, the player would be willing to leave his current team to join the Brazilian team and make history in national football.
The negotiation, which is being kept under absolute secrecy, promises to shake up the football market in the coming days. If confirmed, this transfer will be a historic milestone for Brazilian football, which will receive an internationally renowned player. The expectation is that the arrival of this star will bring great benefits to the club and also to Brazilian football as a whole.
According to our source, the player has already spoken with some club officials and is very excited about the possibility of playing in the country. The negotiation is at an advanced stage, and the signing of the contract could happen at any moment. Fans are eager for the official confirmation and already show great enthusiasm on social media.
In the last few hours, the player’s name has been one of the most talked-about topics on social media. Fans and experts debate the possible consequences of this transfer and how it will impact Brazilian football. While some believe that this will bring a great advancement for the sport in the country, others have doubts about the player’s performance on Brazilian soil.
We eagerly await more information about this negotiation and will bring updates as soon as we have news. Stay tuned to our website so as not to miss any updates on this bombshell that promises to shake up the world of football. Will this transfer really materialize? Only time will tell.
