Charles Leclerc admitted Ferrari got here “back to reality” as Lando Norris took Dash pole on the Qatar Grand Prix to spice up McLaren’s hopes of holding on to their Constructors’ Championship lead.
Ferrari’s robust current kind has seen them near inside 24 factors of McLaren on the high of the standings with two rounds remaining, however predictions that the Lusail Worldwide Circuit would swimsuit the leaders got here to fruition on Friday.
A shock seemed to be in retailer when Leclerc topped first apply, however Norris took Dash pole forward of Mercedes’ George Russell, with the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri taking third forward of the Monegasque and his team-mate Carlos Sainz.
“We gave it our all and are only P4 and P5, which is not great considering how important this weekend is,” Leclerc mentioned.
“To illustrate, for no matter cause, FP1 was loads above our expectations. This I’ll say is according to what we anticipated. We’re coming again to actuality.
“Obviously after FP1 there were hopes we could do something better but we didn’t.”
After a pair of disappointing leads to Brazil and Las Vegas noticed Norris’ drivers’ title hopes ended by Max Verstappen, the Brit admitted he was happy to bounce again in Qatar.
“We wanted to come back after Vegas and do such a thing, and that’s what we did, so we’re happy,” Norris mentioned.
“We knew this track would suit us a lot more. Looking back at last year it was one of our strongest circuits, so we expected to come here and be quick. It was probably a bit closer than what I would have liked, honestly.
“I felt assured, particularly into Qualifying. In apply we had been fast however nonetheless struggling fairly a bit and a superb step off the Ferraris. Into Qualifying, we made some enhancements, however I believe the automotive actually took a step ahead and I may extract much more out of it. Proud of as we speak’s job for positive, however the true job is tomorrow.”
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Following claiming the Qatar GP Dash pole, Lando Norris says that though he’s pleased with the consequence ‘the true job is tomorrow’.
Whereas Saturday’s Dash, stay on Sky Sports activities F1 at 2pm, does not supply as many factors as Sunday’s full-length race, Norris is conscious each level may show essential within the title battle.
“I expect them all to be a challenge tomorrow. I don’t expect an easy race, for sure,” he added.
“I think the long run stuff could easily suit the Mercedes a bit more than it suits us, but I’m still hopeful that we can get a good race in. And we want to score maximum points from a constructor point of view, even though the points are minimal, and one position is a point, we still want to go out and get every point we can.”
Verstappen: Dash shall be robust
Newly-crowned world champion Verstappen may solely handle sixth, and admitted he has little hope of turning Pink Bull’s kind “upside down” for the rest of the weekend.
“Just no pace to be honest, just slow,” Verstappen mentioned.
“I simply do not actually have the stability to assault entry to mid-corner. The automotive is a bit off, so it makes it actually troublesome round right here. The very excessive pace is okay however all the things else shouldn’t be okay and that makes it troublesome to push.
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Max Verstappen felt his Pink Bull had ‘no tempo’ and Sergio Perez felt will probably be robust for him to struggle by the sphere after beginning in fifteenth.
“I think P6 is more or less where we should be, maybe even P7 actually. But of course that’s not where you want to be.
“Within the Dash will probably be robust to struggle the automobiles round me with simply the stability that I’ve within the automotive.
“For the other Qualifying, let’s see if we can improve the situation a bit, but I don’t expect it to be suddenly turned upside down and work. It’s not been amazing.”
The Dutchman was nonetheless capable of dramatically outperform team-mate Sergio Perez, whose Qualifying woes continued with an SQ1 exit that leaves him ranging from sixteenth on the grid.
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Sergio Perez racks up his seventh Q1/SQ1 exit after he fails to make SQ2 on the Qatar Grand Prix.
The more and more under-pressure Mexican mentioned {that a} battle for observe place with Leclerc initially of his last SQ1 flying lap was the primary cause for his exit.
“Unfortunately, we left a little bit late,” Perez mentioned. “We had an issue with one of the anti-roll bars, and then to get my final lap, we were all opening gaps and then Charles came and we were fighting into Turn 1 and so on, and lost a couple of tenths there – enough to be knocked out.
“It was a disgrace as a result of I felt like we actually progressed with the automotive from P1 to qualifying, we had much more potential and it is a disgrace that we simply ended up right here.”
Hamilton: I am simply sluggish
Lewis Hamilton’s struggles over one lap continued as he completed practically half a second down on Norris in seventh place.
Hamilton has been under par all yr in Qualifying, with Russell holding a 22-6 head-to-head benefit throughout the game’s two codecs.
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After struggling in dash Qualifying on the Qatar Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton admits his automotive shouldn’t be the issue and that he’s ‘simply sluggish’.
“It was the same as every other Qualifying, not that great,” he mentioned. “I’m just slow. Same every weekend. The car felt relatively decent. No issues. Not really much more to say.”
Requested on whether or not it’s himself who’s struggling, Hamilton added: “Who knows? I’m definitely not fast.”
Hamilton has not been capable of extract the identical degree of efficiency as Russell in Qualifying, regardless of it beforehand being a power of his throughout his championship-winning years at Mercedes.
The seven-time world champion thinks there are “not particularly” any positives to take however Russell ought to be capable to struggle for the win within the Dash and for pole once more in fundamental Qualifying.
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George Russell mentioned it was ‘to date so good’ after placing his Mercedes second on the grid for the Qatar Dash.
“The long run didn’t feel too bad,” he added. “But, when you’re back where I am, it makes it almost impossible to compete for wins. But that’s the Sprint. I will do what I can tomorrow.”
Russell continues to impress, although, on a observe Mercedes anticipated to be robust at, even earlier than their one-two in Las Vegas.
The British driver revealed he took the high-speed corners earlier than the final flip within the last sector flat out, which “confused the engine” and says he’ll goal to beat Norris within the Dash even when his rival’s pole lap was out of attain.
“They are in a big championship fight. We have nothing to lose. We are going for the big results,” he mentioned.
“We will try to make a good start. The Sprint is just the Sprint. We need to focus on Qualifying as well.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s stay Qatar GP schedule
Saturday November 30
12.10pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
1pm: Qatar GP Dash build-up
2pm: QATAR GP SPRINT
3.30pm: Ted’s Dash Pocket book
4pm: F2 Dash Race
5.15pm: Qatar GP Qualifying build-up
6pm: QATAR GP QUALIFYING
8pm: F1 Academy: Race One
8.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday December 1
10.55am: F1 Academy Race Two
12.15pm: F2 Characteristic Race
2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
4pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
6pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP response
7pm: Ted’s Pocket book
Method 1’s season-ending triple-header continues this weekend with the Qatar Grand Prix, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream the ultimate two F1 races and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
