Miami: pre-qualifying 2023

Well, it wasn’t mentioned here previously and I don’t know if I’d back it now but I did put a little on Perez for ‘winning’ qualifying at 6.5 each way (Ladbrokes, boosted).

First practice had a surprise with the Mercedes topping the table, Russell two-tenths ahead of Hamilton. Leclerc was a further tenth back, a similar gap to Verstappen and then Sainz. Gasly was next but nearly a second off the ultimate pace. Alonso, Stroll, Hulkenberg, and Ocon rounded out the top 10, with Perez in 11th.

Come second practice, Verstappen was ahead by some way, over a third of a second ahead of Sainz, Leclerc, and Perez. There was a bit of a gap from the Mexican to Alonso, who was followed by Norris, Hamilton and Stroll, with Albon and Gasly completing the upper half of the time sheet.

If you’re inclined to believe Perez is in with a shot he’s out to 9 on Ladbrokes, without boost.

At the moment, that may be value. It seems from FP2 that perhaps we’re looking at Red Bull versus Ferrari. If so, Perez is definitely in with a shot. From the practice report, he had to abort a flying lap so may have been rather closer on true pace.


So, I’m tipping Perez to ‘win’ qualifying at 9.5, each way. Last year he was within half a tenth of Verstappen and I think his odds now are excessive.


Morris Dancer

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