Hungary: pre-qualifying 2022

 

Vettel is retiring at the end of the season. Aston Martin, suddenly worse at development now they have more money, will miss his expertise and getting a good replacement will be hard as the car is slow and the other driver is the son’s owner. Names already mentioned include Alonso and Schumacher, but we shall see.

First practice had Sainz ahead of Verstappen by a tenth, with Leclerc just another tenth further back. Norris was next, three-tenths ahead of Russell, with Perez, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Ocon, and Alonso rounding out the top 10.

Second practice was slightly odd, as Leclerc was fastest but the next man, two-tenths down the road, was Norris, a hundredth up on Sainz. The McLaren is looking surprisingly good. Verstappen was half a tenth further back, followed by Ricciardo. Alonso, Vettel, and Russell followed, with Perez only 9th (ahead of Bottas).

At this stage my betting thoughts drifted to Norris for a podium. Which might sound far-fetched but he was ahead, narrowly, of Sainz and Verstappen in second practice, although a quarter of a second off Leclerc and half a second off Sainz in the first session. Passing at the Hungaroring has historically been very hard, though the new regulations have improved this significantly at every port of call that doesn’t speak French. 

Third practice was wet, as the race may be. This rather explains the top three being Latifi, Leclerc, and Albon, with Verstappen 4th. Russell, Alonso, Sainz, Norris, Vettel, and Magnussen complete the upper half of the grid.

 

Obviously that last session wasn’t of great use for judging pace, and there’s a chance qualifying could be dry or wet (probability is for rain). I’m not inclined to bet on it, therefore.

Qualifying is at 3pm.

 

Morris Dancer

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