Belgium: pre-qualifying 2024

 

The last before the mid-season break might also be the last for Perez. Rumours continue to swirl he will soon be axed, and perhaps replaced by Ricciardo. Also, in a shock departure, Bruno Famin is to leave Alpine as team principal, having held the role for just a year. Between this and Alpine’s plan to take engines from Mercedes, the team’s looking in what could politely be described as a state of change.

Verstappen was quickest in first practice, half a second ahead of Piastri. Albon was a couple of tenths further back. In close succession then came Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Norris, Sainz, and Stroll.

Second practice had a clear three at the top. Norris was two-tenths ahead of Piastri and Verstappen (the Dutchman trailing the Aussie by two-thousandths). Leclerc was three-tenths further back, and another three-tenths off the pace was Sainz. Russell, Ocon, Magnussen, Perez, and Hamilton rounded out the top 10.

It’s also worth knowing Verstappen has a 10 place grid penalty for changing engine parts.

Final practice was wet, which led to Verstappen leding Piastri by 1.4s. Gasly then Norris followed, and after him there was a 1.6s gap to Ocon. Leclerc, Stroll (who crashed out), Bottas, Hamilton, and Perez completed the upper half of the grid.

Rain is possible for qualifying as well.

Because of this, I’m not inclined to bet. If I were, I’d probably be looking at Verstappen or Norris (for fastest time, the Dutchman cannot start on pole due to his penalty).

 

Morris Dancer

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