Mexico: pre-qualifying 2022

Shade off-colour so that might affect betting, blogs etc.

Off-track news first: Audi are going to team up with Alfa Romeo/Sauber from 2026 which could make it the most potent force it’s been since the BMW/Kubica days.

On-track, first practice had the two top six covered by two-tenths. Sainz was less than half a tenth ahead of Leclerc, with Perez and Verstappen close behind and setting identical times. Hamilton was two-hundredths further back, followed closely by Alonso. Bottas, Norris, Gasly, and Vettel completed the top 10.

Second practice was longer, had some tyre testing for the 2023 set, and Leclerc crashed out.

For the sake of completeness, the order was Russell, Tsunoda, Ocon, Hamilton, Perez, Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Bottas, and Gasly.


So, betting thoughts. Qualifying is at 9pm and the race tomorrow at 8pm, hence the earlier than usual post. Sainz at 7 each way to top qualifying is tempting, given he edged Leclerc in first practice, and he finished ahead of the Monegasque in qualifying last year.

Decided to back that at 7.5 each way.

 

Morris Dancer

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