Spain: pre-qualifying 2018


In a slight surprise, there’s been agreement for 2019 to alter the front and rear wings in a bid to increase overtaking. I don’t think that’s been especially bad this year, so far, but it was tricky in Australia and probably will be in Spain too. It also indicates a more gradual change to 2021, rather than trying to make all the aerodynamic changes in that year, which I think is a sensible approach.

The front wing will be simpler, the rear deeper (more DRS effect), fuel weight will rise 5kg, and weights will be separate for driver/seat/car (be interesting to see how that affects taller chaps like Hulkenberg).

Have slightly mixed views about such changes, as the basis of F1 is to be as technologically advanced as possible, but it’s unfortunate such aero advances decrease overtaking (although the tyres need a look too).

It’s also emerged that F1 is keen to sign Miami up for a 10 year deal regarding a street circuit. I’m not a fan of street circuits, and I also don’t think that any country should have more than one race (and the US already has the excellent Austin track) so, at first glance, this is displeasing to me.

Bottas topped first practice, eight-tenths ahead of his team mate, who was narrowly ahead of Vettel and Verstappen. A little further back was Raikkonen, followed by Alonso, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Vandoorne and Gasly.

Hamilton was fastest in second practice, a tenth and a half ahead of Ricciardo. Verstappen was third, half a tenth up on Vettel, with Bottas close behind. Raikkonen was sixth, followed by Grosjean, Magnussen, Vandoorne and Perez.

Right now, Mercedes are looking strong, and Haas perhaps too. In the race, Red Bull may do well, but overtaking is historically very difficult, so strategy will be of prime importance.

In third practice, Hamilton was again quickest, just a hundredth ahead of Bottas. Vettel and Raikkonen were a couple of tenths back (but very close to one another), with Ricciardo nearly half a second behind the Ferraris. Magnussen, Grosjean, Sainz, Alonso and Gasly rounded out the top 10.

Late on in third practice Hartley had a large crash, bringing out the red flag and raising a large question mark over his participation in qualifying.

At the moment I think Haas may get both cars into Q3, and Bottas could be value for pole.

Bottas is 3.5 for fastest qualifier on Ladbrokes and 3.9 on Betfair, at the time of writing. I’ve decided to back him on Betfair and set up a hedge at 1.5

I’m a bit short on time so the pre-race article may be up tomorrow rather than this evening.

Morris Dancer

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