Ferrari disaster, Leclerc’s anger. Russell mocks Verstappen with the same time
“We are too slow” Charles Leclerc had warned in the last free practice session. He wasn’t lying, it wasn’t pre-tactical. Bad sensations, a terrible feeling with the same car as two weeks ago he flew to Monte Carlo to take the most important pole of his career. The flashes of the Principality, then the darkness on the track named after Gilles Villeneuve, where he had arrived – like all of Ferrari – full of confidence and the intention of repeating the triumph.
Nope, Russell is on the first spot bringing smiles to Mercedes after many setbacks. Carbon copy time with Verstappen (it had already happened in 1997) – always at the top despite the engine problems that forced him to use an old unit -, but George established it first, so he’s the one to party. But the blue cannibal is lurking from the front row. And from the second the Norris-Piastri duo promises sparks. Seeing the little Lord of Mercedes so happy – Hamilton 7th, he got to the best place – increases Charles’ regrets.
How is such a reversal of trend possible? “Better not to comment now” is his outburst over the radio, the most sincere. Out of the top 10 together with his teammate Sainz, a complete shipwreck on the island of Notre-Dame, also beaten by Albon’s Williams and the Racing Bulls of Ricciardo and Tsunoda, now going back upstream will be very hard. They will have to hope for a crazy, wet match, Canada has offered upsets in the past.
But first of all we need answers. We will need to investigate the lack of performance and also the strategic choices of the wall. But it was a constant struggle after a Friday of uncertain weather that had given no reference: in the first corners in the dry the reds accumulated a chronic gap, the tire heating problems seem to have returned and seemed to have been solved.
It’s a strong blow, especially for the Monegasque he had just found again the joy and victory after almost two years. Eliminated by Lance Stroll, who plays at home, who became a driver at the behest of his father Lawrence, who finally sees a decent Aston Martin again. It was the worst qualifying of the season for Ferrari on a theoretically friendly circuit, Leclerc explains it like this: «The real problem is that on every lap we were between eighth and twelfth fastest. I’m inc…, I also found a McLaren in the middle. All this put together produced this result.”
Immediate twists in Quebec: Sergio Perez out again in the first phase of qualifying, despite the two-year extension just signed. His confirmation only fuels doubts, Red Bull is racing with only one driver. The disaster could have serious impacts in the race for the constructors’ title where rivals attack with two fronts. And it is no coincidence that the Racing Bulls, the satellite team, he trusted Tsunoda for 2025, the Japanese who lives in Faenza. Well deserved renewal, it deserves even more.
. Leclerc 11th and Sainz 12th){kind=link}