USA: pre-qualifying 2017

The musical chairs continue at Toro Rosso, with neither driver (Sainz/Gasly) from their last race competing in this one. Sainz has toddled off to Renault, and Gasly is driving in the last Japanese Super Formula race (he’s fighting for the title). Sainz’s seat was already nabbed by Kvyat, and this time around Gasly will be replaced by Brendon Hartley, a Kiwi endurance driver. Whether this is a one-off remains to be seen, as there are no conflicts between F1 dates and WEC races. Whilst Gasly is nigh on certain to return, he could be driving alongside either Hartley or Kvyat.

In significant news, Alonso will be staying with McLaren next year. This was largely expected after the team ditched the Honda engine for Renault, but still good news. Will he have a shot? Perhaps. I’ll be keeping an eye on the odds.

This weekend the purple ultrasoft will be changed to pink, to raise awareness of breast cancer. Ironic, given breast cancer has hugely more awareness and research funding than pancreatic cancer, which is represented by the colour purple.

Early tips I offered pre-weekend were Verstappen and Ricciardo each way for the win (15/17 respectively) and Vettel not to be classified at 8.

In first practice Hamilton was fastest, over half a second ahead of Vettel. Bottas, Verstappen and Vandoorne were next, followed by Massa, Raikkonen, Ocon, Perez and Sainz.

In second practice Hamilton was quickest again, a few tenths ahead of Verstappen. Vettel was a tenth or so back, and Bottas a similar margin behind, Ricciardo and Raikkonen following. Alonso, Massa, Perez and Ocon rounded out the top 10.

At this stage it’s looking like a great weekend for Hamilton. Behind him, it could be rather close between the other five. Force India and McLaren are also currently looking good. Qualifying and the race appear likely to both be dry throughout.

In third practice, Hamilton was again fastest, but a mere tenth ahead of Vettel. Bottas and Raikkonen were close behind but there was a more sizeable gap to Verstappen. Massa, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Ricciardo and Perez finished off the top 10.

Penalties:
Verstappen – 15 places
Hartley – 25 places
Hulkenberg – 20 places
Vandoorne – 5 places

The Verstappen penalty will have a sub-optimal impact on that early tip (now out to 34), but these things happen. Those are some nice penalties for Williams, though.

My current thinking is that Hamilton will get pole. Ricciardo will start 5th, but perhaps be a threat in the race. Anyway, value’s doubtful but I had a look anyway.

Vettel at 4.5 each way for pole was quite interesting. That’s green if he gets it or very slightly green if he’s 2nd on the grid. However, he’s also 6.8 on Betfair Exchange, so if I were going that way I’d probably prefer a hedged approach.

I was quite tempted but decided against betting on it.

Qualifying is at 10pm, the race tomorrow starts at 8pm.


Morris Dancer

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