Italy: pre-qualifying 2024

 

Between second and third practice, Antonelli was confirmed as Hamilton’s replacement by Mercedes. Not too shocking, to be honest.

 

First practice saw new Williams driver Colapinto, and Kimi Antonelli took Russell’s Merc for a spin. The latter ended with a crash. Verstappen topped the time sheets, two-tenths up on Leclerc. Norris was a hundredth further back, and then two-tenths later came Sainz (a thousandth up on Bottas). Piastri, Hamilton, Albon, Perez, and Alonso rounded out the top 10.

In second practice Hamilton was fastest, three-thousandths ahead of Norris. Sainz was exactly one-tenth further back, with Piastri a couple of hundredths slower, and Leclerc three-tenths off the Aussie (the top five were covered by one and a half-tenths). Russell, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Alonso, and Stroll were the other chaps in the top half of the time sheet. Colapinto was two-tenths off Albon, which is rather good given he’s brand new.

Right now qualifying is looking very tasty and hard to call. The high temperatures may cause Mercedes to lose out during the race.

 

Posting this early, so no tip on qualifying. Looks nice and close, though.

 

Morris Dancer

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