UK: pre-qualifying 2020


And so to Blighty. Though Perez won’t be racing, as he’s got COVID-19. Let’s hope he recovers quickly, as the rapid succession of races means he could easily miss several. In to replace him is everyone’s favourite comeback kid: Nico Hulkenberg, who seems to have had more surprise returns than Dracula.

Friday’s hot so I suspect teams may be a bit conservative for the first two practice sessions.

In first practice a Dutch chap was fastest, nearly half a second ahead of Hamilton. Stroll and Albon were next, followed by Leclerc, Bottas, Ocon, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, and Kvyat.

Albon had a big crash in second practice which might do his confidence much good after a somewhat tricky start to the season.

Stroll was fastest in second practice, with Albon less than a tenth behind. Bottas and Leclerc followed, with Hamilton next, after whom came Sainz, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Ricciardo, and Raikkonen.

Third practice was more of a usual result with Bottas over a tenth ahead of Hamilton. Verstappen was next up, three-tenths off the ultimate pace. Stroll followed four-tenths behind the Dutchman and less than a tenth ahead of Sainz. Leclerc was a tenth off the Spaniard, and has Norris very close behind, with Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, and Gasly all doing very similar times.

Looks like the same top three as usual with a very competitive lower half of the top 10.

I’m not especially inclined to bet on this but browsed the market anyway just in case anything leapt out at me. Nothing did, so no tip for qualifying.

Morris Dancer

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