Directed by Liberty Media and the supporting actor under the mask, called Covid, the second round of Formula 1 in Austria – made mandatory by the calendar changes and the need for logistical savings – gave Ferrari surprises but not so much. The Maranello team had to deal with another horror qualifying, particularly compared to a flattering start to the season when it came to setting times. Everyone hopes that another film will be shot on Sunday, perhaps with some chaotic element. Otherwise, it will be a weekend in which Ferrari will simply try to collect a few points.
“Ferrari’s melancholy summer continues. Both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were not admitted to Q3 yesterday. For both of them, just a few handful of thousandths were decisive against Russell’s Williams. The once glorious British team has been the rear of Formula One for years. Seeing it in front of the Reds is a blow to the heart. The two Ferrari cars will be forced into a difficult recovery race, in line with a season destined to reserve very little satisfaction. The usual hope is that the miseries of the present will be a useful lesson for the coming year, 2022. But who lives hoping … with what follows.” – writes Leo Turrini in ‘Resto del Carlino’.
“It was known that Ferrari would continue to sacrifice qualifying for the race, because the search for a compromise failed. The bad news is that both are out of the top 10 this time around for the worst Saturday of the season. The danger is the traffic, Charles Leclerc had already risked a lot a week ago hitting Gasly but then he was forgiven by recovering. Two comebacks are needed this time, otherwise the decision to throw out the qualifying will have been an act of self-harm. The pace was missing. Slower to draw a small wild card, which is the free choice of the compound at the start for those who start beyond the tenth position. These are “tricks” for minor teams, not for Ferrari, but it is the reality of a car without balance“, reads the Corriere della Sera.
It must be said that Charles Leclerc’s recovery last Sunday was helped by a factor that may not recur: the free track. After the contact with Gasly, in fact, the Monegasque had gone to the pits, returning far from the rest of the group that was in battle, recovering precious ground. “The goals of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are sixth and seventh place, same result on the same circuit last Sunday”, recalls La Stampa.
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