Charles Leclerc takes the flag at the end of the Austrian Sprint Qualifying, and for Helmut Marko, it is an incomprehensible strategy. During the third part of the Sprint Shootout, all the teams deliberately chose to wait as long as possible in the pits. This inevitably damaged the hopes of the last ones to enter the track, forcing them to push even on their out-lap.
At the end of the Sprint Qualifying of the Austrian Grand Prix, the pitiful waiting game by the teams played out once again. Of the eight minutes available to the drivers, only three were actually utilized. It was less than three minutes before the end when the Mercedes cars – the first to take to the track – left their pits.
With the new FIA regulation that prohibits excessively slowing down once on track, the cars then waited even longer at the pit lane exit. In this context, some of the SQ3 qualifiers had to sacrifice the preparation of their tires just to beat the clock. Sergio Perez, forced to complete his lap behind an Alpine, is a glaring example.
But worse than the Mexican’s situation was that of Charles Leclerc. Victim of an engine problem that led to the shutdown of his Power Unit, the Monegasque was the last driver to take to the track. A desperate attempt to cross the finish line within the time limit was in vain: the Ferrari driver was excluded from the flying lap, the only one he would have had available.
“The idea behind this tactic is incomprehensible,” commented Helmut Marko to ServusTV. “Everyone believes that the track continues to evolve and improve. But it’s perhaps just a few thousandths of a second. It’s less than what is lost by leaving the pits late and not preparing your lap well. It seems like a herd mentality to me.” – he concluded at the end of the Austrian Sprint Qualifying session.
Source: f1ingenerale
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