Ferrari Racing Director feels second row was possible in qualifying for 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. Ferrari Racing Director on qualifying for Abu Dhabi GP.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were fifth and seventh fastest respectively for Scuderia Ferrari in the final qualifying session of the season, which took place earlier today at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi

Behind the two title contenders, it was all very close, as has been the case so often this year. In fact, the time sheet shows that six drivers qualified within less than three tenths of each other. Heading this fight for the second row was Norris, but Carlos came very close, just 61 thousandths behind the Englishman, while Charles was looking good until the final few corners. 

Scuderia Ferrari Racing Director Laurent Mekies shares his thoughts on the outcome of the qualifying session for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:

“A solid qualifying session, especially in terms of our performance level. Right from the start of the season, we have seen that it’s very close behind the two teams at the front and it takes very little to find oneself ahead or behind a group that can be made up of between ten to 12 cars. Carlos and Charles gave it their best shot and were in the hunt for a place on the second row right to the end and their grid positions are a good starting point for tomorrow’s race.
After races on two completely new tracks, we are at a circuit that has been significantly modified, making it much more flowing and I think the team has once again shown this weekend that it is capable of adapting quickly to anything new. Today, we went against the tide in our approach to qualifying, which will help us exploit our potential.

Tomorrow, we will try and convert that into a good result, in order to achieve the goals we are still pursuing. We want to have a good race to end the season, to put a smile on the face of our drivers, and all of us who work hard every day, both at the track and back in Maranello and all the people from all over the world who follow Scuderia Ferrari with so much passion and enthusiasm.” – the Ferrari Racing Director explained, as reported by the Maranello team’s official website at the end of qualifying in Abu Dhabi.