Brazil: pre-sprint race

I loathe sprint races. Anyway…

Qualifying that wasn’t really qualifying began with a surprise. In a Williams, Russell was outqualified by Latifi. Impressive work from the Canadian, one of two (Stroll the other) eliminated in Q1. Naturally, both Haas were also out at this stage.

In Q2 saw Alpine at the cut-off with Ocon fastest of those who failed to progress and Alonso squeaking through. Vettel, Tsunoda, and both Alfa Romeo chaps also exited here.

At this moment it seemed Hamilton was the dominant force by a clear margin, with Verstappen/Bottas quite close to one another. And so it proved in Q3, with the Briton (who has a 5 place grid penalty in the proper, actual, entertaining race) taking pole by four-tenths. Verstappen did manage to put his Red Bull on the front row for the stupid sprint race, however, with Bottas and Perez on row two.

Gasly was impressive again as best of the rest, ahead of the Ferraris of Sainz and Leclerc. The Prancing Horse seems to have become the best car of the midfield (Gasly being only half of AlphaTauri), and is directly ahead of Norris and Ricciardo. Alonso starts the sprint nonsense just 10th but this format will suit him as qualifying normally is not his strength, but starts and wheel-to-wheel racing very much is.

 

After qualifying both Verstappen and Hamilton were summoned by the stewards over rear wing matters. It’ll be settled, it seems, ahead of the pointless second practice session. But I don’t have the time to wait for that, and there are very few markets up, so no tip for the sprint race.

The tedium of the sprint race will be inflicted upon us at 7.30pm UK time.

 

Morris Dancer

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