This quali result makes for such an interesting race tomorrow! Lewis, Alonso and Lando are all going to be hard for Max to pass. Still wouldn’t be shocked to see him get as high as 4th provided they resolve the issues on his car (which they apparently know and can fix without penalty).
A little bummed about Lewis having those DRS issues - would have been great to see him near the front and have two Mercedes up near 2 Ferraris - though I expect the Ferraris to get by George.
Also the top of midfield battle is well poised with Lando ahead of both Alpines and Daniel hopefully able to make up a few more places.
I’d be shocked to see him as low as 4th, provided he doesn’t have issues on the car or take damage working thru the field. I think he’ll get his podium otherwise.
There was a possibility the mediums didn’t make it and Leclerc was positioned to win. Small chance, but better than no chance. Ferrari just decided, naaah
Everyone will have to use both anyway (unless you do the smart thing for Ferrari and have 1 guy on a 1-stopper). So you lose a little to Max on the first stint, then gain it back when you get softs while he moves to mediums.
Lewis pretty much debunks your idea anyway. He started on mediums and was 11s behind Sainz when Ferrari started pitting. Lewis finished 9s behind Max. Ferrari could’ve been neck and neck with Max (assuming they had the same pace as Lewis) just by following Lewis’ strategy exactly.
Ferrari’s issue is they are so reactionary and unable to look at the big picture of the race unfolding. They should’ve went a lot longer on their first stint, like Lewis did, could’ve even done a 1-stopper as I suggested.
Moving Leclerc off the hards was super lol and just lighting more positions on fire.
The issue for Ferrari was that medium, hard wasn’t an option. They would have ended up in traffic and on a bad tire. They wanted medium, medium, soft but Mercedes made that a difficult decision. That is why 3 way battles are so much more fun.
