Carlos Sainz of Ferrari spoke on Saturday about the race weekend, saying that the feeling behind the car had been positive, even though he came away with the second-best time in qualifying. He admitted some frustration about not sealing pole position despite racing at a pace that was nearly flawless for large stretches. The sense of momentum from the previous day lingered, but the final push did not deliver the ultimate reward in the session.
He noted that the feel of the car was strong after what he described as domination in the earlier stages, yet the later laps proved more challenging. The pace looked rapid in the final sector, and while there was no pole, the speed was still a reassuring indicator that the setup and the driver’s rhythm were both pointing in the right direction. If he had executed a perfect lap, Sainz suggested, the pole could have been within reach, and that reflection underscored the thin margin separating the top positions in qualifying.
In the post-qualifying briefing, the statement about the overall mood of the session remained clear: the lap was solid, and the driver felt increasingly confident as the weekend progressed. Yet the reality of the timing screen reminded him that small mistakes in any sector can matter. The conclusion drawn was that while the lap had good pace and control, it did not meet the register required for pole. The emphasis remained on continuous improvement, with the team and the driver focused on translating that Saturday momentum into a strong race strategy for Sunday.
Fernando Alonso, driving for Alpine, praised his team for a strong qualifying performance. He explained that the goal had been to break into the top ten and acknowledged that some margin had slipped in Q2. He characterized the result as a solid one, with fifth and sixth places offering a competitive starting position and a chance to challenge in the early stages. The Spaniard spoke warmly of the crew and the progress made across the day, noting that the car’s balance was improving and that the team’s plan was bearing fruit as the session advanced.
Alonso’s comments to media outlets highlighted the optimism around the team’s performance, even as he looked ahead to the race. He emphasized the need to maximize performance on a qualifying day that brought both opportunities and challenges. The sense of satisfaction came from the fact that Alpine had achieved a credible result within reach of the top positions, reinforcing the belief that the team had prepared well for the weekend and could capitalize on it in the race.
The Spaniard ultimately settled for sixth place after a cautious approach in the final segment of the session. He did acknowledge that teammate dynamics can influence performance and noted that Esteban Ocon had outpaced Lewis Hamilton in the session, illustrating the competitive depth within the field. The catchphrase for Alonso was one of measured optimism, recognizing that the margin between teammates and rivals is often razor-thin and that the next steps would be about extracting more speed without compromising reliability.
Looking ahead, Alonso discussed the potential impact of the track conditions on race day. He described the transition as potentially difficult and warned that starting on the more difficult side of the grid would require careful defensive tactics. The weather outlook added another variable, with rain anticipated and the need to remain prepared for changing grips and tire strategies. The overall sentiment was one of cautious confidence: a strong qualifying performance that leaves room to improve in the crucial next phase of the weekend, with a plan to adapt quickly to whatever the track and weather deliver.