Sainz starts ahead of Alonso in Russia despite good feelings from Alpine

On Alpine, so much Fernando Alonso What Esteban Ocon they are optimistic for the Russian Grand Prix. Still they are aware that there are five fastest teams. One of them, Ferrari, where Carlos Sainz He has been ahead of Alonso in both Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2.

Both training sessions have been led by the two Mercedes and both have been Valtteri Bottas in front of Lewis Hamilton. Without a doubt, the Finnish driver looks like another, more liberated, after it has been confirmed that he will be relieved by George Russell. The most surprising thing about Free Practice at the Russian Grand Prix was the performance of the Red Bulls. Yes OK Max Verstappen he was third in the first practice session, in the second he dropped to sixth. Sergio perezFor his part, he was ninth in Free Practice 1 and eleventh in Free Practice 2 held in Sochi.

This allows Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso to dream of the podium. Leclerc, with Ferrari, he managed to place fourth in Free Practice 1 after the two Mercedes and Max Verstappen. Esteban Ocon was faster than the Dutchman with the Alpine in FP2. Fernando Alonso finished fifth behind Pierre Gasly and of Lando Norris, which have been third and fourth respectively.

Sainz, Ferrari’s trump card for the Russian GP

As far as Ferrari is concerned, Carlos Sainz in his main asset for the Grand Prix of Russia. Charles Leclerc has changed the engine for this race and will start last on Sunday. The Monegasque will have at his disposal a new power unit that has awakened great illusion in Maranello. “The team, obviously, has made a great effort to try to bring this element forward. And yes, I am glad that I can try it for the first time and see how it works. It will be a good experiment for us also for next year, since it is a part of development that we want to continue in the 2022 engine. We have to do some homework. And if, I will put it in my car as soon as the compromise between starting last, the situation in the championship and the circuit allows it., depending on the pieces that I have available ”, Carlos Sainz pointed out when questioned about it at a press conference.

The Madrid driver was seventh in both FP1 and FP2, in both sessions, ahead of Fernando Alonso. In the first, Sebastian Vettel (fifth) and Pierre Gasly (sixth) have rolled ahead of him, while Fernando Alonso has been tenth after Lando Norris (eighth and Sergio Pérez). In the second, Alonso was eighth along behind Carlos Sainz.

Alonso: “If a podium arrives, it will be welcome”

In addition to Leclerc, Max Verstappen He carries a penalty after the accident he suffered with Lewis Hamilton at Monza, and will be delayed three positions heading into Sunday. This is something that makes both Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso dream of being on the podium at the Russian Grand Prix. However, when asked about it at a press conference, the Asturian pointed out: “We are very far away. I think we are the sixth fastest team out there. In order for us to get on the podium we need a very chaotic race. Without that, I think that for good performance the maximum position is sixth or seventh. We did it in a few races this year, but I’m happy with the consistency ”.

“You need to be very lucky to get a podium. I was not that far. I don’t expect to be there in the remaining races. Obviously, if it arrives it will be welcome, but I believe that we must work with realistic expectations”Added the Asturian.

Results of Practice 1

Mercedes are looking strong again in Sochi ????️#RussianGP # F1 pic.twitter.com/PSFv1WS6UK

– Formula 1 (@ F1) September 24, 2021

Results of Practice 2

FP2 CLASSIFICATION: @ValtteriBottas completes a perfect F1 Friday by taking his second P1 of the day ⏱️#RussianGP # F1 pic.twitter.com/K06dIkIqh2

– Formula 1 (@ F1) September 24, 2021