Ferrari drivers between fatalism and disappointment after qualifying at Zandvoort
With 6th and 10th places on the starting grid for the Dutch Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz made no secret of their disappointment at being so far behind their rivals.
The four-way battle is slowly narrowing down to a three-way battle. While it was thought that Ferrari would be back at the front with McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes in this return, the opposite has happened instead.
When we take a look at the times in Q3, there is a huge gap between the first Ferrari, Charles Leclerc’s, and the front runners. Sixth but almost a second behind poleman Lando Norris, the Monegasque driver could not be satisfied with such a result.
« We knew that qualifications were going to be difficult but we maximized our performance with the 6th time. However, this does not satisfy us. We are far from our competitors in pure speed and we are working day and night with the team to reduce the gap. I am sure that the efforts will pay off soon.
Eliminated in Q2 and initially ranked 11th, Carlos Sainz benefits from the disqualification of Alex Albon in front of him to gain a position. On a track where it is difficult to overtake, the Spaniard will have to work hard during the race to move back up to the front of the pack.
« I am not happy with how things are going this weekend. Before the session, I had not done a single lap with slick tires so it was difficult to make a perfect qualifying on this tricky track. So in Q2, the traffic in the fast sections did not help me either and missing Q3 by less than a tenth is really a shame. Points are awarded on Sunday so I will try to do my best in the race.
With both McLarens, both Red Bulls, and a Mercedes classified ahead of the two Ferraris, the team with the prancing horse could lose big this weekend in both championships.
