Optimism at Alfa-Sauber despite disqualification: “Bottas did an excellent job”

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The alien has struck again. Whether wet or dry – Max Verstappen (25) is always at the top of the rankings. After his fifth pole position in a row (the seventh in 2023), the eighth victory of the season is scheduled for Sunday at Silverstone. The Dutchman is currently without an opponent in the Red Bull Honda – and teammate Pérez is a disaster: the Mexican missed out on the top ten final for the fifth time in a row. All excuses are useless. So he won’t even be second!

In the qualifying final, the two heavily modified McLaren Mercedes played a major role for the first time: 2nd Norris, 3rd Piastri. But they didn’t stand a chance against the orange monster either. Norris said it clearly into the stadium microphone in front of 130,000 fans: “We can forget about pole position. Max destroys us all. Yes, he’s destroying us!”

Verstappen drives into the wall

If it runs normally. Verstappen once did not pay attention when leaving the pits and grazed his left front wing against the wall when entering. “It can happen to me too,” laughed the high flyer.

On the 5.981 km circuit, Verstappen’s 27th pole is almost a guarantee for his 43rd GP victory. Because so far Max has converted his 26 training victories into 21 successes. understood?

But beyond that it will be tough today. Mercedes has been shaken up with eight-time Silverstone winner Hamilton and Russell, who often drives around as a grab bag. Alonso should never be underestimated in the Aston Martin Mercedes. And there was a sixth car with Mercedes power in the final: Alex Albon in the Williams. As announced, the training shock is behind the two Alfa-Saubers of Bottas (15th) and Zhou (18th).

The Chinese did not really get going in the third practice session, the Finn simply stopped in the first part of qualifying. And had to be towed. Bottas: “Today’s results are very disappointing. On the last lap I started to lose power – and then the engine cut out.”

Optimism remains in Hinwil

But team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi remains optimistic: “With Valtteri we showed that we made it through Q2 without any problems, but a technical problem related to the fuel forced him to abandon qualifying. Too bad, because he did an excellent job. At such times, the team has to stick together and push each other to keep improving. We will be ready to do our job and have a good race.”

Eighth in the World Cup with nine points, Hinwil cannot count on growth, but they must fear that Williams will come closer with seven points or even more.

Only French Academy driver Théo Pourchaire provided the positive news from Sauber’s point of view. Second overall in the Formula 2 sprint race was beaten only by Denmark’s Frederik Vesti (23, promoted by Mercedes) – and he is the overall leader.

Source : Blick