Spain: pre-qualifying 2023

 

And so to Spain. Worth noting they’ve nixed the chicane near the end which is believed will have the effect of improving overtaking opportunities. We’ll only find out come the race, but something to keep in mind.

 

During first practice some chap called Verstappen was 700 years (or 0.768s) ahead of everyone else. The 2nd to 10th of everyone else were covered by about three-tenths. In order, these were Perez, Ocon, De Vries, Gasly, Alonso, Magnussen, Leclerc, Sainz, and Russell.

So far, so ominous.

Verstappen also topped FP2, albeit by around one and a half-tenths over Alonso, with Hulkenberg precisely a tenth further back. Perez, Ocon, Leclerc, and Sainz were all within a tenth. Russell, Bottas, and Gasly rounded out the top 10.

 

I think Hulkenberg or Ocon to make the top 10 is worth considering. Both have driven well in different ways. Hulkenberg’s been good at qualifying on his return, though race performances have been lacking, while Ocon had a great qualifying and very solid race last time out and seems still fired up. With margins so tight the driver will make a critical difference.

Not waiting for FP3 for reasons of time, alas.

Ocon is just 1.25 to reach Q3 which is too short. Hulkenberg is 2.5 which is also too short to tempt. I’d be more inclined, had I a free bet or burning urge to bet, to back Alonso or Perez to ‘win’ qualifying each way at 7 or 8 respectively. (Perez probably better value there).

So, no tip for this.

 

Morris Dancer

 

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