Spain: pre-qualifying 2018
In a slight surprise,
there’s been agreement for 2019 to alter the front and rear wings
in a bid to increase overtaking. I don’t think that’s been
especially bad this year, so far, but it was tricky in Australia and
probably will be in Spain too. It also indicates a more gradual
change to 2021, rather than trying to make all the aerodynamic
changes in that year, which I think is a sensible approach.
The front wing will be
simpler, the rear deeper (more DRS effect), fuel weight will rise
5kg, and weights will be separate for driver/seat/car (be interesting
to see how that affects taller chaps like Hulkenberg).
Have slightly mixed
views about such changes, as the basis of F1 is to be as
technologically advanced as possible, but it’s unfortunate such
aero advances decrease overtaking (although the tyres need a look
too).
It’s also emerged
that F1 is keen to sign Miami up for a 10 year deal regarding a
street circuit. I’m not a fan of street circuits, and I also don’t
think that any country should have more than one race (and the US
already has the excellent Austin track) so, at first glance, this is
displeasing to me.
Bottas topped first
practice, eight-tenths ahead of his team mate, who was narrowly ahead
of Vettel and Verstappen. A little further back was Raikkonen,
followed by Alonso, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Vandoorne and Gasly.
Hamilton was fastest in
second practice, a tenth and a half ahead of Ricciardo. Verstappen
was third, half a tenth up on Vettel, with Bottas close behind.
Raikkonen was sixth, followed by Grosjean, Magnussen, Vandoorne and
Perez.
Right now, Mercedes are
looking strong, and Haas perhaps too. In the race, Red Bull may do
well, but overtaking is historically very difficult, so strategy will
be of prime importance.
In third practice,
Hamilton was again quickest, just a hundredth ahead of Bottas. Vettel
and Raikkonen were a couple of tenths back (but very close to one
another), with Ricciardo nearly half a second behind the Ferraris.
Magnussen, Grosjean, Sainz, Alonso and Gasly rounded out the top 10.
Late on in third
practice Hartley had a large crash, bringing out the red flag and
raising a large question mark over his participation in qualifying.
At the moment I think
Haas may get both cars into Q3, and Bottas could be value for pole.
Bottas is 3.5 for
fastest qualifier on Ladbrokes and 3.9 on Betfair, at the time of
writing. I’ve decided to back him on Betfair and set up a hedge at
1.5
I’m a bit short on
time so the pre-race article may be up tomorrow rather than this
evening.
Morris Dancer
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