The debacle continued after a completely unsuccessful qualification in the sprint race for the German factory team, which was once so spoiled by success: George Russell did not get past eleventh place.
Mercedes can only look at what is happening at the top with envy at the moment, where Leclerc immediately at the start caused the Ferrari fans to cheer when he overtook Verstappen. The Monegasque accelerated to 200 km/h in 4.87 seconds and passed the Dutchman, who then “really bad” Start spoke.
Early safety car after Zhou and Gasly’s crash
had a free ride Leclerc but not for now. After touching the cars of the Chinese Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) and the French Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) landed Zhou’s car in the barrier. That safety car had to get out and led the field. On the fifth lap, Bernd Mayländer steered the car back into the pit lane and Leclerc initially defended his lead.
In contrast to the race, the drivers in the sprint, which will still be held this year in Spielberg and Sao Paulo, do not have to come into the pits for the mandatory tire change, which limits their tactical options.
Sainz and Perez are catching up
Sainz but made up a lot of places, Perez as well. After both cars missed the third qualifying run for the first time since the 2012 race in Japan, it went for Hamilton and Russell but not forward, where Verstappen kept stalking Leclerc and passed him on the third to last lap.
Leclerc still ahead in the World Cup standings
Leads in the World Championship standings Leclerc further, he comes to 78 points, teammate Sainz (38) repressed Russell (37) in second place. After that follows red bullduo with Perez (36) and Verstappen (33) in fourth and fifth place.
Source: dpa