Abu Dhabi: pre-qualifying 2020

I’m glad Hamilton’s alright but I rather wish he’d missed this race. Before his announced return, Ladbrokes had Russell, Bottas, and Verstappen all 2.87 for the win. Hamilton is now 1.36, with Bottas and Verstappen 6. Hoping Ferrari and Red Bull (and others) can make a significant leap forward next year so things are tighter more often at the sharp end.

Leclerc has a 3 place grid penalty from the last race, when he was deemed to have caused a collision. In addition, Magnussen and Perez both have power unit changes so they’ll likely start from the back of the grid.

In first practice, Verstappen was fastest, three-hundredths up on Bottas. Ocon was next but 1.1s down the road. Albon, Hamilton, and Stroll followed, with Perez, Kvyat, Gasly, and Raikkonen rounding out the top 10. Bottas has had strong first practice sessions in the latter half of the year which may paint the Red Bull in a favourable light.

Second practice saw Bottas fastest, two-tenths ahead of his team mate and seven-tenths up on Verstappen. Albon was next, two-tenths off his own team mate, and the same margin ahead of Norris. Ocon, Perez, Leclerc, and Ricciardo were covered by three-thousandths of a second, and Stroll was just half a tenth further back. Midfield looking as competitive as ever.

Third practice results were unexpected, and likely not representative of reality. Verstappen was top, half a second up on Albon. Ricciardo and Ocon were both a tenth further back, followed closely by Norris and Hamilton. The British pair were just barely ahead of Stroll, Sainz, and Bottas, with Perez finishing off the top 10.

Slightly tempted to back Ricciardo or Ocon for best outside the top 6 at 3 or 3.2 but it’s so tight I’m not inclined to wager.

Morris Dancer

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