Formula 1
CHECO ON POLE AS LECLERC CRASHES CAUSING A RED FLAG FREEZING THE FIELD WITH UNDER 2 MINUTES TO GO FERNANDO ON THE FRONT ROW MAGNUSEN P4, MAX P9 LCH OUT IN Q2 AND JOS VERSTAPPEN BREAKS HIS TELEVISION!
Sergio Pérez claimed pole position for the Miami Grand Prix during a dramatic qualifying session that was cut short after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed on his final lap.
The Mexican driver had struggled to get to grips with his car during practice but produced when it mattered the most and delivered the fastest lap just before LeClerc went into the barriers.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 06: Pole position qualifier Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing (C), Second placed qualifier Fernando Alonso of Spain and Aston Martin F1 Team (L) and Third placed qualifier Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari (R) pose for a photo in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 06, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images.
“I think it’s been my worse weekend up to qualifying,” said Pérez. “It wasn’t coming together. I was struggling for balance and confidence. But now I have a great opportunity from pole. We are the ones that have something to lose but we will go out there and enjoy this amazing crowd.”
While it was good news for Pérez, Oracle Red Bull Racing team-mate Max Verstappen was left frustrated. The Dutch driver had set the fastest times during practice but made a mistake on his first run in the final session of qualifying. The red flag then meant there was then no time for him to complete his final flying lap and he will start from ninth on the grid.
Sergio Perez:
“Overall, I was happy with today, we delivered when it mattered and under a lot of pressure. It was good. We had a difficult weekend up until qualifying it has been a struggle. The track was improving but this tarmac has only recently been laid and is really sensitive, it has made things a little tricky so I needed that second lap. I knew coming into Turn 3 that you cannot leave anything on the table and it was important to make sure it was a strong lap.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 05: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 05, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
It never feels nice when you see another driver crashing or a red flag on track and I was a bit surprised, I thought we were going to go again and not end the session there, but that was it. I just want to do well tomorrow, it’s a new day and anything can happen. I have to be fully committed and we have to try to do our own race. The target is to get the perfect launch and then the perfect race. I am very happy; I feel like I am in a good moment but it is a long season and it is all about consistency.”
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team.
Fernando Alonso:
“It was a very good qualifying session. Things have been a bit up and down for the last few events – Baku was very difficult – but, over a regular weekend format, we’ve been able to experiment with a few different options on the car. We put it all together for qualifying – the car felt good. And there was still a lot more pace in the car because my Q3 lap was done on used Softs.
On my second run, on fresh rubber, I was already a few tenths up – but then the yellow flags came out. The result gives us a lot of confidence for tomorrow – Sunday is usually our day; we take care of the tyres and have good race pace. Plus, starting further up the grid always makes things a little easier. Getting on the podium will still be difficult but we’ll just do our race – it’s going to be tough but we’ll enjoy it.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 06: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Elon Musk talk in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 06, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
Max Verstappen:
“The initial problem starts with me today, I was taking the car to its limit and I made a mistake. I had to abort the lap and then you rely on a bit of luck that there won’t be a red flag. It’s painful and upsetting, we’ve been really quick all weekend, my fastest lap in Q2 would have been quick enough for pole which I think says that we have a quick enough car. Of course, I go into every weekend trying to win, but starting ninth is not the optimum position. My minimum target tomorrow should be P2. It’s going to be tough tomorrow for sure, but I made it tough for myself.”