Japan: pre-qualifying 2023

And so to one of the season’s early starts: Japan.Qualifying is set for 7am, the race for 6am.

After Red Bull’s atrocious visit to Singapore, they’ll be hoping to deny everyone the highly entertaining battle for the win we enjoyed then being repeated and instead revert to the Max Verstappen podcast arrangement they’ve hitherto put on.

Practice one had Verstappen fastest and six-tenths ahead of Sainz, which may be ominous. Norris and Leclerc followed, then came Tsunoda, Alonso, Piastri, Albon, Lawson, and Stroll.

Second practice again had Verstappen quickest ahead of a Ferrari but this time it was three-tenths over Leclerc. Norris and Sainz came next, making it the same top four (albeit in a different order) as before. Russell, Alonso, and Albon followed, with Piastri, Perez, and Bottas rounding out the top 10.

At this stage it’s looking highly likely Verstappen will get pole and the win with Norris and the Ferraris battling for the podium. That said, Piastri could’ve been in the mix last time if he hadn’t been shafted by Stroll’s red flag so the Aussie might yet feature nearer the sharp end.

The Ferraris and Norris are all 11 to ‘win’ qualifying, but picking who’ll get it (with the chance of Perez or Piastri perhaps being in the mix) is tricky.

The markets also indicate they think Perez will still end up finishing 2nd, most likely, with the Ferraris longer than him or Norris to win.

Nothing especially stands out, so no tip from me for this.

 

Morris Dancer

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