I don't know if it's global warming but there seem to have been more wet periods of racing this season. This session was another will it/won't it rain. Drivers went out on a range of wet and dry tyres and the cars were queued up at the pit lane exit to get out and get a lap in quick. DRS was also unavailable because of the conditions, which could take away the Red Bull advantage over other teams.
The first casualty of the weather was Hamilton, spinning into the gravel. Ferrari were one of the teams that went out on wet tyres but then switched to soft, dry tyres, just not quick enough as it started raining again. The cars became twitchy on the track and now was the time to put in that amazing lap.
Whilst drivers battled the elements the Haas of Magnussen came to a complete stop on the track, with the session was Red Flagged. There was 3 minutes and 11 seconds left, enough time to put in one more fast lap.
As Verstappen was preparing to go out, he managed to clip the pit lane wall, requiring a new nose. The last lap was quick with soft tyres all round. The cheer for Norris taking the first spot was deafening. Bottas spun off to bring out the double Yellow Flag at the side of the track, anyone who waited 'till last had their time scuppered. So out went Perez (who was first out but couldn't take advantage of the track conditions improving, collateral in the Bottas stop), Tsunoda, Zhou, De Vries and Magnussen. Red Bull reserve driver, Ricciardo must be sniffing a seat. Sainz was unhappy that he had to give up some tyre temperature to help LeClerc.
In the second session, track limits came in to play with lap times being deleted. The Brits continued to hear roars from the crowd as they crossed the line each time. I think the last thing LeClerc needed as he was pushing for a lap to get him through was team radio telling him to push. As the laps got quicker and quicker, it was Hulkenberg, Stroll (still not able to match his team mate), Ocon, Sargeant (does he have the upgraded parts yet?) and Bottas out. With a strong showing from McLaren with Piastri ahead of Norris in second and third.
The third session was fairly straightforward. With DRS available, it was an easy pole for Verstappen, even though he had a yellow sector on his last lap. It looked like Norris was going to take pole briefly but the McLarens start second and third. The both Ferraris, then both Mercedes, Albon, Alonso and Gasly. All the British drivers and even the Thai one, were in the top 10.
Are the Aston Martins going backwards from their early promise? Afterwards, Verstappen explained that he didn't need to push full out as the car is so quick. That's promising. Piastri definitely has the look of those 45 year old men who still look particularly baby-faced. See also David Cameron. Zak Brown was celebrating more than anyone else. I expect this result saves his bacon somewhat. Perez didn't seem too disappointed; whether he sees it as a fault by the team or he feels that it's outside conditions. There has been lots of personnel moving between teams, I wonder if we will see driver line-ups changing too. Who can continue to bring upgrades this season and who needs to work on next years car?
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