GB GP Sprint Qualifying Report

It was gusty in Silverstone but sunny enough too so there were challenges but nothing too tricky for the drivers.  There were several British drivers in contention for the Sprint Pole: Russell, Hamilton and possibly Norris.  They just had to watch out for Italian Antonelli or perhaps Leclerc, desperate for a bit of glory at last.

The first SQ session was a parade of drivers and the bottom six nicely lined up in their teams to help their mechanics the next day: two Haas (Bearman then Ocon), two Cadillacs (Perez then Bottas), two Aston Martins (Alonso then Stroll).  If rumours are correct that both Ocon and Bottas are considered to be under-performing by their teams and may be replaced then surely somebody has to look at Stroll?  Both Williams got through which was a good show for their home track.

Norris lost a bit of his car, which would slightly affect the aerodynamics for the rest of Sprint Qualifying.  It didn't matter because we couldn't spot the McLarens on the track as they had changed their livery to green and white and looked remarkably similar at speed to a couple of other teams.

The Ferraris have brought a new engine to this track and it was doing wonders for them.  Hamilton was the fastest in the second session.  If you include the Racing Bulls then the top teams are really excluding any mid-runners from getting into the top ten this season.  Gasly, Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Sainz and Albon went out.  Sainz has been comprehensively beating his team mate this year which possibly  shows that he never would have been any challenge to Verstappen at Red Bull.  Gasly has been chasing the top runners' tails all season and it would not surprise me if the gossip that Alonso may become his team mate next year turned out to be true.

With less of a gap, that meant that all the top five teams went for the same strategy in the final session: one lap at the end.  Six minutes we waited for the cars to come out.  I was surprised at least one Racing Bull driver didn't try to do something in that time.  I think some of those drivers really could have done with a lap to get their eye in; I'm looking at you George.  Hamilton took a very convincing pole, roared on by his fellow Brits.  Behind him was Antonelli, Verstappen (a Red Bull resurgence?), Leclerc, Russell (losing it all on his home track), Norris, Piastri (not able to keep up with his team mate this year), Hadjar, Lawson and Linblad (who was really proud to have made it through).

The Sprint Race would be a good indication of where the points will go in the main Race.  It didn't look like the British weather would have much of an impact either.