Portugal: pre-qualifying 2021

Turkey has replaced Canada on the calendar for pandemic-related reasons. It’s a shame as Canada tends to produce great races, although Turkey last year was one of the very best.

I’m also hoping that my run of value losers will come to an end. Been a bit unlucky this year so far (admittedly, I got some great flukes last year, but still irksome).

In first practice Verstappen complained of vibrations making his vision tricky, and he ended up behind Bottas by 0.025s. Perez was next up, a tenth and a half down the road, followed by Leclerc and Hamilton. Then a four-tenths gap led back to Gasly, Russell, Norris, Sainz, and Ocon. In this session 35 lap times were deleted so that may end up being something that affects qualifying.

In second practice Hamilton led the way, a tenth and a half ahead of Verstappen. Bottas was two-tenths further back, with Sainz, Alonso, and Ocon, all within a tenth. Surprisingly tasty for Alpine. Leclerc was next up, then Ricciardo and Stroll, with Perez only tenth and half a second off his team mate.

Third practice had Verstappen ahead by a handy two-tenths, followed by Hamilton. Bottas was a tenth further back with Perez just two-hundredths off the Finn. But only two-hundreds off Perez was Ocon (Alonso would’ve been similarish but lost a time to track limits). Leclerc and Sainz were close, followed by Norris, Gasly, and Raikkonen.

Ocon is 1.67 to reach Q3, which isn’t bad, but too short for me. Hamilton at 2.75 for pole is interesting but I suspect it’ll be Verstappen. So, no tip.

Morris Dancer

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