UK: pre-qualifying 2024

And so to Silverstone, with hopes high for McLaren given recent pace and last year’s strong showing. There’s also growing impatience with Sainz’s faffing about when it comes to deciding where to go next season. The Spaniard’s a good driver but if he doesn’t stop dithering he might find himself without a chair when the music stops.

 

In first practice, Norris was fastest, just a tenth behind Stroll, with Piastri another tenth back. Verstappen was a further tenth behind the Aussie, and nine-thousandths ahead of Russell, with Alonso close behind. The Spaniard was closely followed by the third fastest Briton (Hamilton), Leclerc, Sainz, and Ocon.

Second practice had a McLaren 1-2 at the top, with Norris a third of a second ahead of Piastri. Perez and Hulkenberg were both a tenth off Piastri, with Leclerc, Hamilton, and Verstappen just over a tenth further back. Sainz was a couple of hundredths off Verstappen, and narrowly ahead of Stroll and Russell.

Third practice was intermediate country, and right now light rain showers are forecast with a 50% chance for qualifying. Mercedes enjoyed a 1-2, Russell leading Hamilton by three-hundredths. Norris was a tenth and a half back, and over four-tenths ahead of Sainz. A couple more tenths led back to Verstappen, with Leclerc, Piastri, Alonso, Perez, and Hulkenberg completing the top 10.

 

I’ve backed Piastri at 12 each way (boosted price) to top qualifying. Rain may or may not come and it may be too light to affect things. On the assumption there’s minimal impact, he’s in with a good shot of being top 2. If rain does come this is far less likely.

 

Morris Dancer

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