Toro Rosso: Sainz qualifies for Q3 and takes the lead against Verstappen
The duel of the rookies turned in favor of the former during the very first qualifying session of the 2015 season. Carlos Sainz Jr. secured an impressive 8th place, while Max Verstappen failed to make it past Q2.
The world of Formula 1 was particularly attentive to the progress of the qualifications for the two new talents from the Red Bull program. Taking to the track first at the very beginning of Q1, Carlos Sainz Jr notably showed unyielding solidity at the end of Q2 by delivering a lap that was two-tenths faster than his teammate, securing a spot in Q3 on his first Grand Prix Saturday. In the end, his final flying lap saw him clinch the eighth position with a time of 1:28.510, ahead of both Lotus cars.
The young Spaniard was therefore inevitably delighted when he went through the interview area: “It’s a great feeling to start 8th for my first Formula 1 race tomorrow!” he explained to the journalists present. “I had a smooth qualifying session, except for a small mistake in Q1, but it didn’t affect me.”
He does not hide his excitement about the race: « I have remained completely focused on the development of my car to extract its full potential. It’s hard to know what awaits me tomorrow for my first race, but I’m eager to be there. It will be a great adventure, but I have trained for this moment all winter, I will be ready. »
From the other side of the garage, the final sentiment is a bit more mixed for Max Verstappen. The 17-year-old Dutch driver had initially started well, moving into 4th position at the end of Q1. Unfortunately for him, the outcome of Q2 was less favorable, with a small driving error costing him a few decisive tenths. He therefore finished in 12th position with a time of 1:28.868.
“I felt good in the car from the start by having a good Q1,” he confided once out of the car. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have a good last run because my tires weren’t warm enough. During my second flying lap, I made a mistake in turn 4, where I went a bit too wide and lost the rear of my car.”
The young driver is disappointed but like his teammate, he also looks forward to tomorrow with anticipation, for the first Formula 1 Grand Prix of his career. « The car is working well, so I hope to score points with our race pace. »
In a world where rivalry is already well pronounced, the pressure of a first Grand Prix will certainly weigh heavily on the shoulders of the two young drivers tomorrow, as the lights go out.
