Hungary: pre-qualifying 2024

Not a surprise, but Magnussen is leaving Haas, Bearman’s in, and Ocon will be announced in due course, almost certainly.

 

In first practice, Sainz was quickest, almost three-tenths ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc. Russell was a tenth further back, and one and a half-tenths covered from there to Hamilton in 10th (following Russell were Zhou Guanyu, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Stroll, and Hamilton).

Second practice had Norris faster, about a quarter of a second up on Verstappen. Sainz and Perez followed, then came Russell, Magnussen, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Albon, and Alonso. Leclerc crashed out.

At the moment it looks ultra-competitive. This may be bad news for Perez, as a small gap to Verstappen could put him half a dozen places back or even out before Q3.

I do wonder if the heat will hamper Mercedes. The forecast temperatures are down on earlier predictions and it should be overcast rather than bright sunlight, though.  There’s also small chance of rain during qualifying.

In third practice, Norris was fastest, half a tenth ahead of Piastri. Verstappen was a quarter of a second down the road. Another two-tenths back was Russell, then a tenth to Sainz and Ricciardo (!), with Albon, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, and Hamilton all very, very close.

 

I’m getting a bit tired of making sound calls on Piastri then having misfortune screw up good long odds bets. But Piastri for pole seems tempting. Each way, he’s available at 7 (boosted at 7.5). I eagerly anticipate finding out whether this proves a misjudgement on my part or if it’s a great call and an unlucky safety car/red flag/inept strategy costs him.

 

Morris Dancer

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