Leclerc runs as a host and Ferrari puts everyone in line

Formula 1, in Montecarlo the Monegasque enchants in free practice (and Sainz is 2nd)

the case

SENT TO MONTECARLO

Continue to be first, Charles Leclerc. And the gaps increase. In Spain a week ago he was always in the front, from free practice to qualifying and until lap 28 when the engine fell silent. A week later we find him in his city, Montecarlo, smiling and rested thanks to a lifestyle that he himself defines boring. And faster and faster. The only one to be close to him is his teammate Carlos Sainz, 44 thousandths of a second behind. The Red Bulls of Perez and Verstappen in order are 4 tenths. If they are qualifying tests, the predictions for today are obvious: in the streets of the Principality this year Ferrari is very fast and legitimately aims for pole position. But that is no guarantee of victory. In the history of this unique and unrepeatable race, only 30 out of 67 winners had started from pole. Less than half. Less than in Spain (57 percent), just to make a comparison with another circuit where it is difficult to overtake.

Yet no driver in their right mind would ever give up on pole. And so Leclerc, who has an open account with his Grand Prix: in the previous three (the first with Alfa Romeo) he has never managed to see the finish line. “It was a pretty good day, even if we have to work to take another step forward before qualifying.” Ferrari seems to have left behind the reliability problem that forced Leclerc to retire in Barcelona. From the analyzes carried out in Maranello after the race, it emerged that the turbo and mgu-h have no structural or design defects, even if in all probability Ferrari will not be able to complete the season with the three units available and will therefore suffer penalties. There will be time to think about it and take countermeasures. For free practice, the first power unit of 2022 that had been replaced in Miami was recovered.

«It was nice to see so many people along the track – underlines Leclerc -. All he does is charge me up for the next two days. We hope to be able to give satisfaction to all these fans ». No alarm from the Red Bull front. «The important thing is to qualify on the front row – warns team principal Christian Horner -. And if it rains, that won’t count anymore. ” On the possibility of a wet race, the most sincere driver is Alonso: «It’s a question to ask on Saturday evening. If I have gone well, I will wish myself good weather. Otherwise I will hope for rain ». –

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