Austria: pre-qualifying 2020

Well, that was quite the delay. We got about a day away from the season starting then had to wait four months or so. Although a global pandemic’s a pretty good reason, to be fair.

And so we finally come to Austria, for the first of two back-to-back Grands Prix at the same circuit, with the same happening a little later at the UK. Mercedes are back in black, and they’ve even brought last year’s car in a fetching shade of pink.

Ferrari, meanwhile, have disappointed Ferrari fans by designing a Ferrari.

Elsewhere, McLaren are looking racy and, in shock news, Vettel’s less than thrilled to have been ditched by the bespectacled Ferrari team principal whose name I can’t remember and who is distinctly less cool than Arrivabene.

We don’t really have even testing mood music as a guideline because it was so long ago all the cars have been updated and testing performance is now about as much use as alcohol-free beer.

In first practice the world was shocked by a Mercedes 1-2, Hamilton three-tenths ahead of Bottas. Verstappen was next up, a quarter-second down the road and just a hundredth ahead of Sainz. Perez and Norris followed, with Albon, Ricciardo, Magnussen and Leclerc rounding out the top 10. Vettel was only 12^th.

Second practice had the same headline act, this time Bottas two-tenths off his team mate. Perez was third, four-tenths further back, and just a hundredth ahead of Vettel. Ricciardo and Norris followed closely behind, with Stroll, Verstappen, Leclerc and Sainz completing the top half.

Racing Point and McLaren are looking quite competitive. Wondering if they’ll be value for podium places.

There were some markets that intrigued me, between the second and third practice sessions, specifically winner without the big three teams/six driver markets, looking mostly at McLaren. I think Perez has a good shot too but he also had very short odds compared to 5 (to win qualifying without the top 6) for Sainz and 10 for Norris, with a third the odds top 2.

In the end, I backed both, and tipped it on PB (won’t count in the ‘official’ records because I only count things I tip on this blog). Split a stake roughly so that either option paid out the same. Reckon Perez could be a fly in the ointment but that’s why I went each way, and I do feel the odds are a little long. [Although after third practice this is looking distinctly ropey].

During third practice Williams’ new chap Nicholas Latifi introduced his car to the barriers, alas.

In less shocking news, Hamilton was once again fastest, this time a tenth and a half ahead of Bottas. Verstappen was next but close enough that he may have a shot at the front row. Perez was an alarmingly impressive fourth, suggesting that he has a real chance at a podium (as suggested by Mr. Sandpit yesterday and brilliantly not acted upon by me). Leclerc and Albon were close together, with Vettel not much further back, and it was very tight between Stroll, Gasly, and Norris, with Ocon and Ricciardo also competitive.

Hamilton looks set for pole, but plenty of scope for upsets further back. I like Perez but it’s a shame that the Pink Mercedes may outrun rivals simply by employing a copy and paste strategy.

The only bet that appeals right now is Verstappen, each way (sadly just third the odds top 2), to top qualifying at 7. Trying to work out if that is value. Think it might be. Decided to back him, on an each way basis.

Anyway, qualifying’s due to start at 2pm. Let’s hope it’s entertaining, and profitable.

Morris Dancer