Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Predicts Exciting Formula 1 Qualifying Session
Andrew Shovlin Foresees Fierce Competition as Mercedes Gears Up for Tight Qualifying Battle
Mercedes trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, is setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating Formula 1 qualifying session. In his assessment, Shovlin observes that the grid appears to be remarkably tight, with fierce competition among the teams. Despite some challenges, he remains cautious about discounting Red Bull as a contender.
Shovlin identifies Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin as Mercedes’ primary rivals at present. This trio of teams has showcased impressive performance, making them formidable adversaries in the upcoming qualifying session. Notably, both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, demonstrated their prowess by topping the timesheets in both FP1 and FP2.
In contrast, Mercedes’ star driver, Lewis Hamilton, secured the fifth-fastest times in both practice sessions. His teammate, George Russell, showcased a mix of performance, ranking sixth in FP1 and an impressive third in FP2.
An intriguing twist in the practice sessions was Max Verstappen’s performance. The Red Bull driver managed to secure the third-fastest time in FP1, but in FP2, he slipped down to the eighth position. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, maintained consistent performance, securing the seventh-fastest times in both sessions.
As the teams conducted their reviews at the end of the day, Shovlin offered insights into the day’s proceedings:
“Today’s practice sessions have been highly competitive, with our rivals showing impressive pace. Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin have certainly stepped up their game, and we anticipate an exciting qualifying session tomorrow. It’s clear that the grid is very close, which should make for a thrilling spectacle. We’re not underestimating Red Bull, despite their challenges today. Formula 1 is all about adapting and finding that extra edge, and we’ll be working hard to ensure a strong performance in qualifying.”
With the stage set for a nail-biting qualifying session, Formula 1 enthusiasts can expect a battle of wits and speed as the teams vie for pole position.
“We’ve had solid sessions today and both drivers have finished the day happy with the balance. There’s a bit of work we need to do to understand how to approach the single lap on the Soft tyre; it didn’t feel like we were getting the most out of the compound and George was able to improve later in the run.
“The long run was quite strong. It’s always tough keeping the heat out of the rear tyres here but we look to be more or less on the pace. The performance order is interesting today. Ferrari looked fast, as do McLaren and Aston Martin and unusually Red Bull didn’t look like the ones to beat.
“We’ll assume that they’ll sort that out for tomorrow, which is going to mean that a lot of drivers are fighting for the top grid spots. It’s clearly very close so we’ll be pushing to find every little bit of pace overnight. We’re looking forward to an exciting qualifying session tomorrow.”
