Brazil: pre-qualifying

Been having some monitor issues, so if the pre-race or post-race pieces do not emerge, that’s why. Unless I’ve keeled over, obviously.

In foot-shooting news, Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of Red Bull and Toro Rosso and chap desperate for a competitive engine, has taken the not necessarily clever step of insulting every manufacturer. It seems entirely possible both teams could just leave next year. It’s his own damned fault for burning bridges with Renault and not having another engine lined up, but it’ll be a great shame for the many hundreds of people who work for the two teams if they lose their jobs because Mateschitz is a spoilt brat.

Saw neither of the first two practices sessions (I tend to watch online, and, consequently, forgot).

Tyres are soft and medium.

Anyway, Hamilton was fastest by half a second in P1, leading his team mate, followed by Vettel, Ricciardo and Raikkonen. Kvyat was next, then Bottas, Verstappen, Hulkenberg and Maldonado.

In the second session, Rosberg was half a second up on Hamilton, Vettel again best of the rest and followed by Raikkonen and Ricciardo. Bottas, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Kvyat and Massa rounded out the top 10.

In P3 Hamilton was a tenth up on Rosberg, with Vettel seven-tenths off the top time. The German was followed by his Finnish team mate, with Bottas, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Perez, Maldonado and Verstappen rounding out the top 10.

Bottas has a three place grid penalty for a practice infringement. Ricciardo has a 10 place grid penalty for taking a new engine. During P3, Horner suggested either a 2 or a 3 stop strategy could work. Maybe room for Perez to benefit, as he’s a good racer but also kind to his tyres. Also worth noting that overtaking is eminently possible.

There’s a small chance of rain during qualifying. Ricciardo’s penalty and the nature of the circuit should mean he sets up the car for the race to enable overtaking, which may compromise absolute pace.

Early betting thoughts I had were:
Grosjean to reach Q3

The odds on Grosjean were just 1.33, which is nowhere near enough.

So, no tip, though I have a few ideas for the race.

The pre-race piece may be up tomorrow rather than this evening.


Morris Dancer

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