Canada: pre-qualifying 2022

Leclerc has a 10 place grid penalty for new electronic parts this weekend. With engine failures, he’ll certainly have some for that sort of thing later in the season. Speaking of engine changes, Tsunoda’s got one and the engine penalty means he’ll be starting from the back.

Verstappen was fastest in first practice, a quarter of a second ahead of Sainz. Alonso and Perez were next, then came Leclerc, followed by Russell, Stroll, Hamilton, Vettel and Ricciardo.

Second session again had a Dutchman fastest, this time under a tenth ahead of Leclerc, with Sainz just over a tenth further back. Vettel was best of the rest, with Alonso and Gasly right behind him, and Russell, Norris, Ricciardo, and Ocon rounding out the top 10.

At this stage it looks like Verstappen’s pole, with Aston Martin, Alonso, and Russell potentially up there if the weather plays a role, which it might very well. McLaren could also upset expectations given the car seems quick with the weak spot of straight line speed (less of a factor in the wet where going as fast as is in the dry is a one way ticket to a crash).

Due to a combination of the probably wet qualifying and feeling a bit under the weather I’m not waiting for third practice or offering a tip.

If you have a free bet might be worth putting on someone like Alonso to be top 3.

 

Morris Dancer

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