Hungary: pre-qualifying 2019

There was some afters following a very turbulent and exciting race in Germany. The two Alfa Romeos got disqualified over a technical infringement, meaning more points for the squabbling children of Haas. It also gave Hamilton some points, and Kubica one. Feels rough on Alfa, but it’s a nice little morale booster for Williams (and they need it).

Alfa are appealing but the appeal will only be heard in September.

In first practice Hamilton was a tenth and a half ahead of Verstappen, who was one-thousandth faster than Vettel. Gasly was a few tenths further back, followed by Magnussen, Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Norris, Sainz, and Raikkonen.

Second practice had some soggy weather. Gasly was fastest, half a tenth ahead of Verstappen. Hamilton and Bottas followed, with Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Giovinazzi, and podium chap Kvyat rounding out the top ten.

Oil on the track ate up the first 10 minutes of third practice. Hamilton was top, a whole one-hundredth ahead of Verstappen. Vettel was next, eight-hundredths off Hamilton’s pace. Bottas, Leclerc, and Gasly followed, with Norris, Raikkonen, Sainz, and Magnussen next up.

There’s reckoned to be a 50% chance of rain according to a French forecasting service but the BBC thinks it’s just 17%. So, we’ll see.

At the moment my thinking is that it’s a three-horse race, perhaps Verstappen suffering a slight disadvantage in qualifying but with better race pace (tricky to overtake on this circuit, though).

Vettel’s been very close to the top, and I think his odds of 9 are too long. I’ve backed him each way (third the odds top 2) to ‘win’ qualifying. Not certain, but I do think the odds are too long.

Qualifying is at 2pm UK time.

Morris Dancer