Leclerc nonetheless expects Monza F1 “qualifying video games” regardless of decreased tow
The Italian observe historically sees drivers searching for tows on the straights in qualifying whereas additionally attempting to create an optimum hole in order that the automotive forward does not compromise their cornering.
That has generally led to controversial conditions, most famously in 2019 when automobiles left the pits late for his or her closing runs in Q3, everybody backed up, and a number of other drivers did not beat the chequered flag to begin their laps.
Leclerc thinks that regardless of the decreased slipstream impact, comparable conditions are set to happen once more this yr because the tow remains to be invaluable.
“I feel for the qualifying sport, it in all probability would be the identical, as a result of even when it is much less value it, it is nonetheless value it,” the Ferrari driver mentioned when requested about slipstreaming by Autosport.
“I imply, drivers will at all times go for that little final bit in qualifying, so I feel it can at all times be trickier in quali than for the race.
“I feel with these automobiles we will observe a bit nearer within the medium and high-speed, however the tow is clearly value a little bit bit much less additionally within the straights.
“Having mentioned that, I feel will probably be massively depending on whether or not there is a prepare of automobiles with the DRS. In that scenario, will probably be very, very difficult to overhaul. If not, then I feel it needs to be pretty straightforward.”
Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz additionally expects to see some drama in qualifying.
“I feel tows in Monza are at all times going to be a difficulty,” mentioned the Spaniard when requested by Autosport about previous qualifying controversies.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75, Antonio Giovinazzi, Haas VF-22
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“However I feel it is a part of the present, a part of the circuit nature, a part of the of the qualifying ways that you’ve got in Monza.
“Even when folks say 2019 was a large number and a present, I do not agree, I feel it is a part of racing. And there is simply lots of people that received it improper, or there’s like me who received it proper!
“I’d simply say that that is a part of Monza ways and technique. And I feel it is a part of the great thing about coming right here, that you’ve got very unusual qualifyings.
“And I feel it is good to see even when generally you aren’t getting a lap. I feel this yr goes to be once more comparable, as a result of the automobiles are nonetheless very delicate to slipstream and also you need the tow.”
Agreeing with Sainz, GPDA chairman George Russell mentioned the shared need to not be the primary one to begin their qualifying lap and run with no tow is “at all times going to be an issue right here” and joked that F1 ought to “perhaps return to single lap single automotive qualifying!”
The Mercedes driver acknowledged that previously it paid to keep away from getting too near the automotive forward and thus dropping downforce, however mentioned the problem was not with out its nuances.
“We are able to all measure the straight-line velocity features we get once we are in a slipstream, but it surely’s tougher to say precisely, I misplaced half a tenth or one tenth or nothing via a nook,” he mentioned.
“I feel personally, it isn’t going to be the be all and finish all. And there is much more to lose chasing that good tow than there’s to achieve.”
Source link