On paper, Ferrari had everything to win in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix. Engine with excellent thrust during acceleration thanks to its smaller turbocharger, excellent mechanical grip and Charles Leclercwinner in the Principality in 2024. And if it wasn’t with Leclerc, there he was revitalized – or, rather, resurrected-, the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton which had been the fastest on Friday.
And as you know, in the twists and turns of the Monte Carlo route, it is impossible to overtake someone who starts the race. pole if you don’t want to or something abnormal happens.
The abnormal thing, for those at Ferrari, was that this Saturday an impertinent 19-year-old young man, Kimi Antonelli, winner of 4 consecutive races out of five This season, he appeared at the last minute in Q3 not only to humiliate the Ferraris but to even surpass another cunning four-time champion fox, Max Verstappen. With a few seconds left for the epilogue, Max had the pole, but “Kimi” took it from him for only 43/1000. Not even a sigh. Even worse for the now not-so-candidate Leclerc is that it was his teammate Hamilton who opened the second row for tomorrow’s grid, third at 226/1000. And he, Leclerc, trying to prevail, had touched the walls twice, especially with some damage, ending Q3, in despair, at the Tabac curve.
It was not a good day for Ferrari because if they do not manage to overtake their rivals at the start tomorrow, what is, almost, the last opportunity to win a race, in a normal development, will completely disappear for a long time from now on. Spirits in the red garage were rather low because the team leader, the Frenchman Fred Vasseur, had been hospitalized in Monaco on Friday for observation and could not be at the circuit.
Colapinto and the lottery
Now, the Italians, who have arrived en masse to fill the stands, place their hopes in the imponderables such as safety cars or a red flag, which in Monte Carlo have more than 80% probability of being called; but that is the same for everyone, a lottery.
And in a lottery you will have to trust Franco Colapintothat will start from 14th position to aspire to score some point. Your companion, Pierre Gaslywhom he had surpassed in the last two qualifying tests (Miami and Canada), was able to adjust the chassis to his liking. With all his experience, he put the car where Alpine aspires to be, among the top 10; Better yet, in ninth starting position, 1s175/1000 behind Antonelli and 233/1000 ahead of Franco, in Q2.
The Frenchman was happy: “I’m happy with the result. We couldn’t have done better today, being just behind the top four teams. I was really excited to cross the finish line in Q3, with a lot of adrenaline. I touched the walls several times. It’s very nice when everything lines up.”
Although the difference between Franco and Pierre was not wide, it was clear, a certain annoyance could be seen on Franco’s face when he made his statements in the playpen. After giving his impressions to television, he spoke in English with a group of international journalists. Among them, that of LA NACION, the only Argentine envoy.
At times Franco watched the definition of Q3 on a large screen located on the outskirts of a crowded mixed zone. When he looked away from the screen, his focus was on the horizon, and his response came slowly, with a dull tone that could be considered tired, but he responded with precision.
-Were you able to fix the problem with the brakes that you had yesterday?
-The brakes have not been good this weekend. I have had a lot of difficulty with the front and rear axle locking all the time. I think here, when you don’t have confidence in the brakes, it’s very difficult to be close to the limit and all that.
-Work was complicated today in Q2…
-In general, it has not been an easy weekend so far. Of course, we know that this track is going to be a little unique and different, with all the blocks and curves. It just didn’t end up working this weekend. Of course, you have to keep pushing. Let’s hope tomorrow is another race.
-We saw you touch the wall a couple of times in the last few days. You were saved, but I guess that encourages you to control yourself a little more next time.
-Yes, I have been pushing hard to try to understand things. Every time I try to push, I lose my front or rear end. This weekend doesn’t quite click, I think. When you don’t click here in Monaco, it gets a little more difficult. You have to keep trying to understand and keep building.
-How difficult is it to drive these cars with the power surges so powerful here?
-Well, you have a lot of power when exiting the curves, 350 kW. But I think it’s fine to drive afterwards. It’s fun to drive the cars here. He hasn’t felt bad. Power, of course, is easier to manage with all the braking (from the electric motor). Maybe it’s a little crazy. The cars move a little more due to the lack of grip.
After promising that he would try to understand and work to correct some details for the race, Colapinto retired thoughtfully.
It may seem that 233/1000 difference is not much, but in the tight mid-pack it is enough for several rivals to intersperse themselves on a short circuit who argue with Alpine to be the best fifth team. Thus, Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), Alex Albon (Williams), Carlos Sainz (Williams) and Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) stood between both Alpines.
Russell, pilot two
There is no doubt that in medium and high speed circuits, Mercedes are the great dominators so far. It was believed that they were going to suffer in the slow corners of Monaco. And that has been the case in the case of George Russell, who finished in sixth position, 394/1000 behind whoever is taking away from him, race by race, being the team’s reference or preferred driver. Now it turns out that it is Kimi saviorjust as Verstappen always is for Red Bull. The RB22 that used to bounce on the tires and show unstable brake performance was transformed from Friday to Saturday. The Dutchman had been 168/1000 behind Lewis Hamilton, the fastest on Friday, with Leclerc, second at 111/1000. Max did not say what had been touched in the car, but in any case it is always possible for him to find a few tenths, two, three (or more, sometimes), which he usually keeps in his pocket.
Max and his partner, the young French-Algerian Isack Hadjar, were favored by the regulation that reduces the delivery of electrical power from 200 km/h, especially for this circuit. Hadjar, after having crashed on Friday, recovered very well and managed to get into fifth position. The McLarens, who dominated in 2024, here almost do not appear in the photo this time: on Friday Norris’s car (6th today, 714/1000 off the pole) had an unidentified electrical failure that reduced his training time. For his part, Oscar Piastri (who is said to be joining Red Bull if Verstappen leaves) also had contact with the wall and was affected by traffic. The Australian was fifth, 573/1000 behind Antonelli).
The Indian row that must be broken
The Monaco Grand Prix is special. People, in reality, do not go to see a race, but to live a magical experience due to the imposing scenery that shows from the surrounding cliffs a port crowded with yachts, modern-style buildings. belle epoque or very modern and stands full of enthusiastic public.
On the narrow asphalt strip that goes up to the casino and then down towards the port, passing through the fast tunnel where 290 km/h is reached, overtaking is difficult, as has been said. However, the vibrations that reach the core of the most passionate enthusiast are enough to justify the parade. That is, however, the single line that the teams intend to break. Either with strategy or taking advantage of a safety car. Since there will be no rain, we must wait for some accident that opens the windows to opportunities. And take advantage.
