Belgium: pre-qualifying 2020

Some significant off-track news occurred between the last race and this one, with all teams signing up for the immediate future, and Williams being sold to US investment firm Dorilton.

Not only that, we had the final quartet of races added to the calendar, taking the probably ultimate total of races up to 17. These races are to be held in Turkey, Bahrain (twice), and Abu Dhabi. The circuit to be used in the second Bahrain race is the outer circuit, which looks hateful for Ferraris, as it primarily consists of three straights.

Also, fancy engine modes for qualifying are banned and apparently a single mode has to be used all weekend (I think the latter part is true, the former definitely is).

First practice had Bottas topping the time sheet but both Hamilton and Verstappen were less than a tenth behind. Just a tenth off the ultimate pace was Perez, with Stroll two-tenths further back. Albon was next, followed by Ocon, Sainz, Ricciardo, and Norris.

Verstappen was fastest in second practice, less than a tenth ahead of Ricciardo and Hamilton. Albon was next up, but three-tenths off the Briton, and very closely followed by Perez, Bottas, Norris, Ocon, Sainz, and Gasly.

I do wonder if Mercedes are sandbagging. Looking quite good for Force India and Renault, but this has been the case before only for McLaren to be the best of the rest come race day.

Hamilton topped third practice, two-tenths ahead of Ocon, with Norris a tenth further back. Albon was next, followed by Bottas and Verstappen. I am unpersuaded those times, excepting Hamilton, necessarily reflect true pace. Although perhaps the single engine mode is changing things, with midfield chaps more willing to take risks. Ricciardo, Stroll, Sainz, and Perez rounded out the top 10.

I think Norris and Ricciardo will perhaps be best of the rest, with the usual three in their customary positions. Before third practice, Norris and McLaren were 3.75 and 3 respectively to ‘win’ qualifying (without the big 6, that being the Mercedes, Red Bull, and Racing Point drivers).

The markets took a little while to wake up. When they did, there was 7 on Verstappen each way to be top 2, at a third the odds, which was mildly tempting. Considered it, but decided against it. Think Mercedes have this sewn up and there’s an off-chance the midfield could do well too.

So, no qualifying tip.

Morris Dancer

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