Alfa-Sauber with qualification exploitation in Hungary: FCB legend Streller brings luck to Zurich F1 team

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The king of Hungary has struck in his kingdom: Sir Lewis Hamilton (38) took the best starting position after 33 races after his last pole position in Saudi Arabia in 2021 – for the 104th time.

And not to forget: the Briton also celebrated his last and 103rd GP victory a day later. For Verstappen and Bottas!

“Everything is always possible with this team,” laughed Hamilton after his ninth pole alone here in Budapest, “we are fighting day and night to catch up!”

Wolff angry after Q1

Boss Toto Wolff had hit the table in front of the monitor in the first part of the new qualifying: Russell (here on pole a year ago) was immediately eliminated in 18th place. But Hamilton’s qualifying win should certainly comfort the ambitious Mercedes boss.

In the end, series winner Verstappen was beaten by 0.003 seconds. The Red Bull Star: “The car never felt right!” Can the Dutchman prevent Hamilton from winning Hungary’s ninth victory on Sunday?

Streller invited by Zehnder

The Alfa-Sauber duo caused the other sensation for more than 100,000 fans: 5th Zhou, 7th Bottas. The folks from Hinwil apparently found a solution overnight on the C43, which will hopefully prove to be a stroke of luck in the race and next week at Spa.

Football guest Marco Streller (the FCB legend was invited by sports director Beat Zehnder) also felt comfortable as a mascot: “It’s clear who I’m rooting for here!”

Blick had asked after the third practice: Did Alfa-Sauber bluff? A justified question, because Bottas and Zhou were immediately super fast (directly behind Verstappen) and then lost almost the rest of the time with the hard rubber on the increasingly faster slope.

Well, the performance was not expected, but now the Zurich Oberlanders have to take home the great result in the 70 rounds in Budapest. Then they could overtake Williams and Haas (each 11) ahead of them by nine points. It’s almost mandatory now.

Excitement thanks to the new Quali format

The new Quali format was a hit. First all on hard, then on medium and in the final all on soft rubber. In the first two parts, the difference between the first and the last was 0.9 seconds each. In the final there was only half a second between the ten drivers.

But unfortunately Budapest was just an attempt. Because it should not be repeated again until 2023 in Monza. Unfortunately, Formula 1 is and remains very immobile in such cases. Even if the new mode means no extra effort for Pirelli.

The Italians have to tremble after more than ten years of monopoly: Bridgestone (Japan, most successful Schumi time at Ferrari) is planning a comeback and has very good chances to take over Formula 1 from 2025.

Source : Blick