Good night, Alfa-Sauber: After the desert debacle, there is no definitive miracle

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Hopefully the team, which has been counting down for weeks, does not have to tremble for bottom team Haas-Ferrari (four points behind). Nico Hülkenberg at least reached the fourth row. And if the American team suddenly gets its tire problems under control, things could get exciting.

Sargeant saved Alfa-Sauber

Three weeks ago the bottom seemed to have been reached in Sao Paulo: 18th Bottas, 20th Zhou. Nevertheless, they continued to dream of progress and World Cup points – and were punished with a double failure. The first in 31 races! Or Silverstone 2022.

The fact that we did not receive the maximum penalty on Saturday for occupying the entire last row of the grid is thanks to one of the probably not particularly intelligent pilots in the field: Logan Sargeant.

Two stupid mistakes!

The American drove fast again in the Williams-Mercedes and his time would have been more than sufficient for Q2. But he ran into those unfortunate track limit fines.

But Sargeant got a second try and was safe again (as far as lap time was concerned). And drove over the route block again. Out. 20th starting position. Without time.

Distance 0.999 seconds

How brutal Formula 1 has become was evident in the first part of qualifying from the distance from the fastest (Verstappen) to the 19th and last (Zhou). An incredible 0.999 seconds.

But Alfa-Sauber still managed to have the slowest cars at the crucial moment. You often get the feeling that the team doesn’t know why the C43 suddenly slips away quickly and then back to the bottom of the leaderboard. The Friday training here in Abu Dhabi says it all: 4th Bottas, 7th Zhou.

It’s good that a nightmare (also for the fans) ends in the desert on Sunday. Also present were ex-team owner Peter Sauber (80) and his wife. There was hardly any great joy.

When will Seidl take over?

You can now really hope that the only team without a real boss on the track will emerge with one vote in 2024. Now a triumvirate: Alluni Bravi, Zehnder, Pujolar.

CEO Andreas Seidl must take over – especially in view of the Audi adventure. The Germans must tighten the reins in Bahrain by 2024 at the latest. Otherwise, you will experience a blue miracle if you plan to join in 2026. Formula 1 does not forgive teething problems.

Abu Dhabi and two finals

Sunday’s matches: Ferrari must get four points against Mercedes to finish second (just like in 2022). Possibly.

Aston Martin would have to catch up with eleven points against McLaren in the Mercedes engine duel to take fourth place in the championship. Rather impossible.

Source : Blick