Saudi Arabia: pre-qualifying 2023

Well, Ferrari made a great start to the season, with a DNF for Leclerc in the first race followed by a 10 place grid penalty in the second (here) for already exceeding the season long limit on electronic units. Both red cars are also running fresh power units ‘as a precaution’.


In first practice a Red Bull 1-2 was headed by Verstappen, with Alonso and Stroll making it 3-4 for Aston Martin. Russell and Hamilton followed this Noah’s Ark pattern, which was ruined by the latter quartet in the top 10 being Sainz, Gasly, Albon, and Tsunoda.

Verstappen was fastest again in second practice, two-tenths up on Alonso and Perez, suggesting Aston Martin may be the Red Bull’s closest challenger. At least when it’s driven by a Spaniard with two functioning hands. Ocon in 4th was unexpected, narrowly ahead of Russell, Gasly, and Stroll, with Hulkenberg, Leclerc, and Sainz rounding out the top 10.

A little while ago I tipped on here Perez each way to win the race at 7. There’s actually slightly longer odds, which I find somewhat surprising, available, with 7.5 (boosted, Ladbrokes). Each way, still feels worth a shot to me.

On race sim average times, as per the tweet linked below, it seems Verstappen likely fastest, then Perez, then Alonso.

https://twitter.com/LukeSmithF1/status/1636791773908422656


On PB, I also tipped backing Perez to ‘win’ qualifying each way at 8 (boosted, again). The odds have declined to 6 base (so 6.5 boosted). That’s a little more marginal, but worth noting he was 2nd last time out and got pole here last year. (For the record, the race win bet will count in the books, the pole bet will not as it was not offered here, in line with what I’ve done in the past).

No further bets at this stage from me. Will probably post the usual pre-race tosh tomorrow morning. Assuming I sleep better than I did last night and have greater cognitive prowess than a drunk baboon.


Morris Dancer

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