Hungary: pre-qualifying 2023

 

Excitingly, the official F1 website has started hiding living timing data and lap-by-lap text coverage behind the ironically named F1 Unlocked scheme. Yes, it’s free. No, I’m not signing up.

 

Note that Friday practice was wet for the first session but qualifying and the race are expected to be dry, so times are of limited value.

First practice was notably for Perez immediately crashing. Not sure that’s going to do his career at Red Bull any favours. In the wet, Russell ended up top dog ahead of Piastri, then came Stroll and Norris. Alonso, Bottas, Leclerc, Zhou Guanyu, Sargeant and Hulkenberg rounded out the not necessarily representative top 10.

Second practice had Leclerc top of the time sheet, one and a half hundredths ahead of Norris. Gasly, Tsunoda, and Ocon followed, rather indicating this list isn’t one of raw pace. Hulkenberg, Bottas, Alonso, Zhou Guanyu, and Sainz completed the upper half of the time sheet.

 

Perez is 23 to top qualifying. Each way, that’s worth backing. Yes, he had a crash in first practice and, yes, his recent form has been poor (partly down to bad luck). But his car is still the fastest in the field by some distance. 23 each way is too long. And with boost that goes out to 26. So that's what I've backed.

If I have time I may check the hedge odds on Betfair after third practice. Assuming he doesn't introduce his car to the wall...

 

Qualifying is at 3pm.

 

Morris Dancer

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