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.

Austria GP Race Report

It was nearly 40 degrees hot in Austria for the race so pole-sitter Russell had on his special inflated silver, puffy Adidas jacket.  This could have a big effect on the race (the heat not the jacket).

Russell got away in the lead easily but the Ferraris were close behind with Leclerc trying for the lead but Antonelli went off the track twice as he pushed.  The teenager got past Leclerc by going off the track so would have to give the place back; Verstappen saw it all happen and waited behind to get past both of them when Antonelli had to make the switch.  The first retirement due to the heat was on lap three when Bottas's tyres caught fire.  His team mate Perez would be out two laps later when his car caught fire.

The Ferraris lost out during the early laps: Antonelli pushed past Leclerc, then Verstappen took second from Hamilton.  They went in for early pit stops.  

A third of the way through the race, Sainz lost power in his Mercedes engine and pulled over to the side on the straight.  There were Yellow Flags and Antonelli pitted.  He was leading the race as the other drivers had taken their first or only stop.  The Virtual Safety Car was about to come out and he should have waited.

In the middle of this race there was some overtaking and some pit stopping but other than Alonso speeding in the pits, it didn't feel like much was happening.  Stroll would be the fourth retirement.

Russell took a pole to chequered flag victory with Verstappen and Antonelli right behind him; Alonso too but he had been lapped.  George was very happy and needed to be back on top.  And so it was done.

When we come back next season, I would like the drone camera to be gone - it gave nothing new visually and made me feel sick.  Just like [INSERT NAME OF DRIVER HERE].

Austria GP Qualifying Report

With a lap taking just over a minute to complete, this would be a blink-and-you-miss-it Qualifying; meaning that tiny errors cost the driver much more than usual.   Not only that but the higher altitude in the mountains meant that engines were not running as well.

The traffic was not as much of a problem as expected in the first Qualifying session.  Antonelli was the quickest with his team mate down in fourth and his championship rival Hamilton in third.  At the bottom they were out in the ark, two by two: Sainz and Albon, Perez and Bottas, Alonso and Stroll.

Antonelli was again quickest in the second session, separated from Russell by the two McLarens.  Verstappen only went out on one run and had to watch to see if anyone from the midfield would beat his time: it was good enough for tenth.  Out went Gasly, Bortoleto, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Colapinto.

In the third and final session, Verstappen was nearly quick enough as they put in their banker laps but Antonelli was quickest with Russell alongside him.  Hamilton went wide and off the track and failed to set a lap time.  There was a lot of boring talk about tires.  With forty seconds to go, the final laps were being set down.  Hamilton went, even visually, very quick to take pole then his team mate Leclerc snatched it from him.  Verstappen was carrying too much speed into the final corner, pushing hard and went off quickly through the gravel to speed into the tyre wall.  Russell was behind him and managed to take pole and there was a lot of discussion about when he passed a single or double Yellow Flag.  This potential infringement would mean that his pole position could be taken away.  It would be a close call but he would keep it even if Ferrari had been celebrating a front row lock out.   Russell was quick to point out that Wolff had already told him that he had made a big lift on the power and that would be satisfactory.  The top ten were Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Antonelli (who had to abort his lap for the Yellow Flags), Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Hadjar, Lawson and Linblad.

There would be many variables in the race: reliability, especially from the Mercedes engines, the hot temperature, Norris pointed out that there would be a lot of pit stops, differing abilities at race starts, smoke bombs from the Orange Army...

Barcelona GP Race Report

I had predicted that Hamilton would be in first place by the first corner but the Mercedes cars seemed to have shaken off their bad starts and Russell was away well and leading the race.  The Ferrari gamble on soft tyres for the start did not pay off.  Most people did well off the line but Hadjar went backwards.  With no opening incidents the race would proceed in a fairly boring fashion for 66 laps.

Alonso started in the pit lane, came out and started going around but his team mate was to only do seven laps and then bring his Aston Martin into the pit to retire.

Hamilton was the first driver to pit on lap twelve.  Then Lawson responded and had a double time, over six seconds pit stop.  It was the first time we had seen a poor stop in a long time.  The flood gates had opened and everyone went in, earlier than Pirelli predicted.  Leclerc was left in charge of the race and he pitted at the time recommended.  Linblad, Bearman and Alonso were the three drivers staying out.  

It was another race of attrition.  We were shown Bottas then Hulkenberg retiring in the pits but not Albon who mysteriously was out of the race.  With 25 laps to go, Alonso stopped at the side of the track and Virtual Safety Car conditions were instigated to remove the car.  Cheap pit stops were available, leading to unsafe releases galore.  Hamilton was on a three stop strategy.  Then Albon reappeared; an F1 camera had come loose on top of the car and needed to be fixed.

McLaren were gunning for Antonelli to get a five second penalty for leaving the track more than some number of times prescribed and permitted by the FIA.  Hamilton was now clearly in the lead.  Behind him, Russell had been going well but Antonelli had already shown him that he was up for a scrap and second place.  With five laps to go he went for it and took the place from his team mate, who had started confidently on pole.  Just as these places looked secure, with a rattle and a groan, Antonelli's engine gave up and he pulled up at the side of the track.  A Virtual Safety Car was called for so all the cars would be going slow.  This was doubly needed as Leclerc went through the gravel and into the pits as his power steering  died.  It was all change at the top.

We were informed by double-first-named Harry Benjamin that it was the first all-English podium since 1968.  It was a very emotional win for Lewis Hamilton.  Norris really lucked into third place on the podium.  There were shots of the Ferrari team milling about in the garage seeming unsure what to do when you win.  For them, they have finally realised the prize they paid for when ditching Sainz for Hamilton.

Red Bull (and Racing Bull) should also do well at their home track in Austria but it looks like they just don't have the pace.  Ferrari are really pushing Mercedes and it looks to me like they are going to be the two teams battling it out until the summer break.

Barcelona GP Qualifying Report

Barcelona was hot, "scorching" apparently but thirty degrees so not the hottest place that F1 goes.  No one had a problem with the climate or any other kind of issue in the first Qualifying session other than the drivers that didn't make the cut: Ocon, Albon, Perez, Bottas, Stroll, Alonso.  The Spaniard will not be happy to be starting one of his home races in last place.  Hamilton was fastest followed by Russell.

No drama in the second session but this time Russell led Leclerc at the top.  No surprises in the drivers that left the track: Lindblad, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Gasly, Bearman and Sainz.  Another Spaniard at the bottom of a table.

The action came in the final session when Leclerc crashed into the barrier at a speed which caused the medical car to be automatically dispatched.  He was walking away from the car by the time it arrived.  The red flag was waved because the car needed to be lifted from the gravel and the tyre wall repaired.  He had been pushing too hard.  When they went again, some drivers tried to put in two stints and others went for one do-or-die run.  A few drivers were in contention to take pole but Russell made it cleanly to take first place.  Behind him were Hamilton, Antonelli, Norris, Verstappen, Hadjar, Piastri (who I had almost forgotten existed), Lawson, Hulkenberg and Leclerc.  Russell will be pleased to have come out on top again.  The Ferrari resurgence with Hamilton is continuing, although with Hamilton having overtaken Russell for second place in the championship, he will have to get away and not have a typically poor Mercedes start.  I predict Hamilton will be leading the race into the front corner.

There are many contenders for the race win and even though Qualifying was quite dull it did promise at a great race.  We have to make the most of it as we won't be back in Barcelona for two years as it will now alternate years with Spa (boo!).