Brazil GP Qualifying Report

There was not much happening in Brazil before Qualifying started apart from storms and Hamilton's engine failing and needing replacing, which meant he would definitely be starting from the back of the grid.  Leclerc had a ten place penalty.  Russell had a five place penalty.  Verstappen would be starting from the back of the grid too.  So whatever happened in Qualifying, it would not be setting the grid.

Just as the first session was about to start the next storm kicked off.  The mechanics had been drying up the garage apron with leaf blowers and rollers, all in vain!  It was proper rain not spitting or drizzle.  An Audi and a Haas just pulled up at the end of the pit lane to be wheeled back for extreme wet tyres.  After five minutes the session was Red Flagged and stopped as drivers were complaining about aquaplaning.  It was only Alonso and Verstappen who decided not to go out at all, the best decision possible.

The crowd whooped when the drivers finally took to the track.  Bortoleto was the first driver to go off the track and it was muddy, his tyres slew up the water and I was surprised the electrics still worked.  Stroll then did the same thing perhaps he felt the Brazilian was trying to steal his crown as the king of cock-ups.  Bearman waited until the dying seconds to ruin drivers' last flying laps with Yellow Flags.  I was surprised that with engine power somewhat negated due to the conditions more drivers did not outperform their car or benefit from mistakes of those with superior ones.  Colapinto, Gasly, Stroll, Bottas, Perez and Bortoleto (whose rear wing could not be fixed after his off) went out.  New-for-this race, Camara, went through two places ahead of his team mate, Bearman, a real triumph for the Brazilian who had never raced at this track before.  Alonso was in sixth.  Norris was the fastest ahead of Russell who has everything to prove.

Linblad had to retire his car a few minutes into the second session because "it was fucked".  He was carefully able to pull it right off the track.  Half way through, Alonso made the call to go on to Intermediate tyres first.  Drivers were trying to set one final fast lap in the last minute but Camara's luck was out, pushing hard he went off and nose-first into the tyre barrier.  His car would need removing and the barrier fixed so the session was Red-Flagged giving yet another delay.  Hamilton was out in eleventh (but it didn't really matter) followed by Piastri, Camara, Linblad, Sainz and Verstappen.  It was a shame that Sainz could not get ahead of drivers who didn't even finish the session, especially when Albon finished sixth, unless his lap was ruined by Camara?  Russell was fastest this time. 

The final session started late once the barrier was fixed but it started raining again.  It looked like they would need to get a lap in asap before it became intense.  It was a question of skill, experience and choosing the correct tyre.  They went out on Intermediates.  Alonso was first out of the pit lane.  The cameras didn't leave him.  It seemed to be a battle between Norris and Russell.  

They got about three minutes driving in before the rain meant it was all over.  Russell was furious that he missed out on pole position because he was told to back off as he would get another lap.  He handed the pole to Norris.  Behind them was Antonelli, new father Leclerc, Lawson, Hulkenberg, Hadjar, Bearman, Alonso and Albon.  The last two would be disappointed.  

Qualifying took two and a half hours and by that point, I don't think I would have watched all the interviews even if I hadn't run out of tape during Russell's.  Camara will start in eleventh, which was not to be predicted and could throw a spanner into the starting works if he makes a mistake off the grid.  The Williams start ninth and thirteenth, which is exciting for me, as the Williams Fan.

It is predicted to be a wet race too so let's hope that gives us an unusual winner.  If I had to choose, I would pick Albon, Sainz, Alonso but Hadjar or Lawson for the LOLs.

Mexico GP Qualifying Report

All the focus for the weekend should have been on Antonelli becoming world champion (potentially).  However, other people wanted to steal the limelight.  The dead were trying to have their day with the Mexican Día de los Muertos.  I remember the real spectacle that it was when we returned to Mexico in 2015 now it's less of a novelty.  Talking of dead men walking, Ocon was sacked in the middle of the weekend, following Free Practice 2 for talking back to the team.  Obviously there must be more to the story but Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa will be benefiting this weekend.  Where eyes should have been on Mercedes, they turned towards Haas.

Alonso had also made a big splash with a comment about drivers at the back of the grid (probably directed at Albon) being substandard.  Albon said he was disappointed but still looked up to Alonso.  That was more frustration coming out.

Before that a number of drivers had missed the press day or been ill earlier in the week including the championship contender.  It had been blamed on this race being the second triple-header in a row.  I think it's the same lurgy that we're all getting passed on aeroplanes between Texas and Mexico.

When in Mexico though, all attention was on Checo Perez.  Cadillac capitalised on this by announcing that his contract was renewed for the next season.

In Free Practice 3 there were more divas wanting their share of the attention: Lawson and Verstappen were given conflicting advice over the radio about what the other was doing and crashed into each other.  This was followed by some very harsh comments from Verstappen about what a driver "who is fighting for their seat" should be doing.  Both drivers were given a one place grid penalty.

There was more going on with Red Bull drivers, Hadjar also received a warning from stewards after pushing a paddock guest who aggressively approached him for a selfie when he was running late for Free Practice 1.  In the olden days he would have gotten away it but with people catching footage for social media everywhere, he did not.

If you really want people to see you then you need to do what Alonso did in the middle of the first Qualifying session and pull over to stop your car in the middle of the stadium section of the track.  40,000 people were present and the session was Red Flagged and stopped.  He did not know why they stopped the car like that.

Leclerc and Norris had been quickest during Free Practice but Hamilton was the fastest in the first Qualifying session.  The slowest six cars were Albon, Alonso, Hirakawa, Stroll, Perez and Bottas.  It seems likely that this will be Bottas' last season in Formula 1.  I don't understand how Stroll could not beat his team mate when his team mate did not even have a car.  When will it be his last season?  Alonso would even be reprimanded for not replacing the steering wheel correctly when he stopped.

The second session passed without event although we started to see some drivers have lap times deleted.  The drivers that didn't go through were: Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Piastri, Bortoleto, Bearman and Sainz.  If Alpine are going to have a good day, someone in a top team will go out and today it was Piastri.  It was a pretty big scalp when McLaren were looking good at this circuit.  Ultimately the team made a poor choice with tyres.

In the final session, drivers were pushing.  Hadjar crossed a white line at the pit lane entry and became under investigation.  From nowhere, with a minute to go, Russell took pole position from Leclerc.  He had not been mentioned at all thus far into the coverage.  Hamilton quickly took it off him.  Leclerc, who had been so strong, could only come back to third place.  Antonelli was not quick and then Verstappen locked up his tyres as Norris was in his way.  The dying seconds did not see anyone put in a quick lap.  The top ten were: Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Verstappen, Antonelli, Norris, Hadjar, Lawson, Linblad and Gasly.  Verstappen and Lawson will both take a one place grid penalty, remember.

Hamilton was overwhelmed and almost hugged his car.  Russell and Hamilton both need to finish near the front in the race if they are to take Antonelli's championship bid on to the next race.  It looks like a good line-up and I'm actually exited to watch the race.

 

US GP Qualifying Report

There was only one name on everyone's lips going into this event in Austin, Texas: Kimi Antonelli.  Russell and Hamilton would have to do very badly this weekend and he would have to win and the Mercedes driver would be world champion.  And now I will move on.

Qualifying was Ferrari's to lose, they had been the fastest in every practice session.  They started losing it in the first session when Norris was quickest.  Gasly was the only driver who fell foul of the track limits but he put in another lap and secured his place.  It was a predictable six drivers that went out: Ocon, Stroll, Sainz, Albon, Perez and Bottas.  Alonso had been on fire to put on a bit of a show for the Americans.

Leclerc regained that quickest slot in the second session ahead of Antonelli.  It was uneventful and out went Gasly, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Bortoleto, Colapino and a smoking Alonso.

Ferrari entirely lost it - or Ferraried it up - in the final session.  Calmly, Antonelli slid in and took the pole position from nowhere.  I won't mention why this might be important.  Behind him were Verstappen, Hadjar, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Russell, Piastri, Linblad and Lawson.

The stewards were out in force: there were track limits infringements here and black and white flags for driving unnecessarily slowly there.  I wonder what they will get up to during the race or will they have had so much brisket and beer that they have a lovely nap?

Bortoleto will start at the back of the grid for the race with a record (?) 60 place grid drop, for that he has replaced everything on his car, had a respray and had two ribs removed.

It was a pretty uneventful Qualifying but the drivers went out and showed their skill and the teams produced the best cars they could to challenge with so there's little you can do without being too artificial.  Let's hope something interesting happens in the race.

Singapore GP Qualifying Report

With the sun set and the drivers fresh from a wet Sprint, Verstappen was looking to maintain his dominance over the race weekend.

Not everyone had such confidence.  Ocon went into the wall as soon as the first Qualifying session started.  Hadjar's awful weekend continued with more problems on his car.  He kept resetting, trying again but could not set a time.  There were no such issues for the other Red Bull and perhaps he is beginning to see what Webber, Sainz, Ricciardo, Gasly, Albon et al were dealing with.  Hamilton set the fastest time and at last there seemed to be a real challenge for Verstappen.  The Audis are beginning to get stronger and are now looking officially "midfield".  Out went Alonso, Albon, Stroll, Perez, Bottas and Hadjar.

In the second session it was Colapinto's turn to hit the wall straight away.  Predictably Hulkenberg, Bearman (who had an outstanding Sprint with a great battle with Gasly), Ocon, Sainz, Bortoleto and Colapinto were dismissed from Qualifying.

The third and final session passed without any incidents, no one even kissed the wall.  The Ferraris tried to challenge and Norris hoped for "a miracle lap" but Verstappen took pole.  Leclerc beat his team mate Hamilton to second, which had not looked certain at all.  I don't know why Leclerc is wearing a black costume this weekend and Hamilton red?  A mystery.  Behind them were Antonelli, Norris, Russell (who will start from the back of the grid after a power unit change), Piastri, Gasly, Lawson and Linblad.  The Red Bulls and Racing Bulls are showing their strength.

Predictions are difficult at Singapore; it is all down to driver error and whether there are Safety Cars and Red Flags.  It seems likely that Verstappen's experience and talent will win out though.

Bahrain in Malaysia GP Qualifying Report

Firstly, do we need to address the fact that we are racing the Bahrain race at a different circuit that is not in that country?  I think we're all over it and it's nice to be somewhere different.  It's nice to see drivers tackle a triple-header too.  My favourite Malaysia memory is Kimi Raikkonen having a Magnum after he crashed out one year.

Secondly, Alonso had confirmed that he will be racing next year for Aston Martin in a record-breaking 79 year career.  He will be the brain in a jar racing in the future.  The Aston Martins were going well at this circuit and their performance has gone from dire to on-again, off-again, which is progress at least.  Both drivers were through in the first session.  Verstappen looked to be completely in control at the track and held fastest place throughout.  Hulkenberg, Bearman, Ocon, Albon, Bottas and Perez went out.  Hulkenberg and Albon were massively out-qualified by their team mates.  Albon's season really hasn't gone well and I think it's lucky he has already resigned for next year because if I was Vowles I would be tempted to do away with loyalty and go with someone newer and fresher, like Williams used to do.

The second session was trickier for several drivers who had their first times deleted: three drivers had to go and make their last lap count.  Verstappen again dominated the session.  Out went Lawson, Alonso, Sainz, Stroll, Colapinto and Linblad.

Predictably, even though there were some competitive lap times at the end of the session, Verstappen was on pole.  Of the others, it was Hamilton who pulled something out of the bag to join him on the front row.  The top ten was completed by Hadjar (who will take a five place grid drop for a change of power unit), Antonelli, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri (the McLarens struggling at this circuit), Russell (struggling in comparison to his team mate), Gasly and Bortoleto.

Verstappen feels he should win from pole and I think he probably will.  Hadjar feels he has a good enough car to come back from eighth to make up places, I'm not sure he will.  Brundle thought it was an exciting Qualifying session.  I disagree and I am worried that this will be repeated in the race.

Azerbaijan GP Qualifying Report

There were a couple of issues with the Baku circuit on Friday for Qualifying: firstly, the track was still being fixed after an incident in an earlier event so it would start late, secondly there were gusts of wind that could catch a driver unaware and thirdly, it was Friday, a day early, because the race would have conflicted with an important Memorial Day in the country.

The first Qualifying session did not go well for the Championship leader Antonelli, who hit the wall and damaged his tyre, if not more of the wheel.  He had to park the car, pulling off the track to do so.  This was the very thing we needed to try and bring about some more competition for the season however he started even further back in Monza and still won.  At the very end, Williams made a big jump up to 9th and 11th and Stroll went off the track bringing out Yellow Flags.  The Williams have brought a major upgrade this weekend and are a more competitive weight.  Reminder, Sainz was third in his Williams last year at this track.  Russell was fastest and Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Perez, Bottas and Stroll went out.

As soon as the second session started, Linblad was off the track and had to reverse back onto it.  This track was not proving to be straight forward yet again.  With two minutes to go he did it again.  Ocon also went wide but that's not news and won't help him find a new seat for the 2027 season as it seems Haas no longer require his services (unless Cadillac want to replace Bottas with him, I don't think there's much hope and I would rather see more rookies come in).  Russell was absolutely dominant and fastest again.  Both Alpines went through and Sainz which was great news for them.  Bearman, Lawson, Albon, Ocon, Linblad and Antonelli were out.

For once Liberty played some fun radio...Norris and McLaren gave away what their plan was for the final session and was playfully corrected by his engineer; F1 bants ensued.  Both Colapinto and Norris briefly stopped on track at one point or another to bring out a Yellow Flag.  Even with flying laps from Leclerc and Piastri, Russell was fastest and secured pole position eight tenths of a second ahead of Leclerc.  Behind them were Piastri, Hadjar, Norris, Hamilton, Gasly, Verstappen, Sainz and Colapinto.  In a disappointing showing from Verstappen, who is four places behind his team mate who is returning after three races out for an injury and also sandwiched by drivers that he drove out of Red Bull but was held up by a Yellow Flag.  Hamilton will also be disappointed to be four places behind his team mate.  He pointed out that the Mercedes engine was very quick almost saying it was unbeatable.

There should be thrills and spills in the race with lots of Yellow Flags, Virtual Safety Cars and Safety Cars.  It's a beautiful, tricky circuit that promises lots and doesn't always deliver.

Spain GP Qualifying Report

I thought if we were giving up the Barcelona race, we were getting a street circuit right the centre of Madrid.  It turns out we are going around the conference centre and under the motorway just outside the city.  It was tricky though with not a run off in sight.  Linblad was the first driver to have a big crash but that was earlier in the event.  Bearman and Hamilton had bigger crashes in Free Practice 3, which would impact their Qualifying more.

No one was looking at Haas or Ferrari though: all eyes were on the Mercedes drivers.  Russell said he was "being rational" about it which is one way of dealing with unfortunate failure.  Antonelli was the first driver to go off the track during Qualifying. He did end up quickest in the first session though until Russell pipped him in the last milliseconds.  There was disappointment at the other end of the timings board with both home drivers out.  Those who finished their Qualifying then were Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Bottas as well as Bearman and Stroll who both had broken cars and did not set a time.

There was no drama in the second session.  Out went Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Ocon, Gasly, Tsunoda and Albon (who barely set a lap time).  The final session carried on in much the same way.  For a track where several Yellow and probably Red Flags were predicted for Qualifying alone, nothing came of it.  From out of nowhere, Norris took pole, leaving Antonelli the place beside him.  Behind them would be Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, Piastri, Lawson, Colapinto and Linblad.

Over a longer race run, we should see more accidents and mistakes which will be critical for making the event enjoyable for spectators because otherwise it will be a procession.  Yo-yo racing came back last week so perhaps that might be a feature?

Italy GP Qualifying Report

What could be more interesting at the Monza race than whether the Italians were supporting Ferrari or world championship leader (and Italian) Antonelli?  I suspect they will support whoever wins.  The media were devoting a lot of time and discussion to this.  I was more interested to see Lightning McQueen on track (as Mr Pitstop Princess keeps saying, it should have been Francesco Bernoulli IYKYK).

Not everyone did well in the first Qualifying session.  Alonso was out of his car before the time was up, shaking his head in frustration.  Piastri went wide off the corner on his final push lap.  Tsunoda's car was only just ready in time but he couldn't put a lap together.  The drivers out were Tsunoda, Albon (who has a grid penalty anyway), Bottas, Perez (we've stopped hearing that Cadillac are shopping for a replacement for the Finn), Alonso and Stroll.  After finding some form at recent races, Aston Martin seem to have lost it all.  Gasly was the fastest!

Piastri kept being in the wrong place at the wrong time in the second session: he nearly held up Lawson, he was investigated for a pit lane infringement.  There was too much traffic on the track.  Antonelli took his rightful (?) place as the fastest driver despite giving a tow to his team mate.  Out went Bortoleto, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Lawson (the victim of traffic), Sainz and Ocon.  Hamilton scraped through in tenth.

By the time the cars came out for the final Qualifying session, it looked like no one had learnt anything from earlier on.  There was traffic and argy-bargy in the pit lane.  The set of timed laps were set and nothing unusual happened, then the drivers went again.  Piastri went off across a corner again and lost his lap time and meant he wasn't able to give Norris the slip stream.  In the dying seconds, as it looked like Russell was going to take a predestined pole, Gasly put in the fastest lap.  He couldn't believe it as the team went wild in the garage.   Russell said it was "a bit messy" and unhappy with the team's strategy.  Behind them was Piastri (unbelievably), Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Antonelli, Colapinto, Norrs and Linblad.  A really good show for Alpine and a shame that Briatore will get the credit for it; still in a weekend where everyone is celebrating Schumacher perhaps he should share a little of the limelight.

Having won the race at Monza before, this was still Gasly's first pole position ever which doesn't seem right.  We had the regular F1 farce of a native carrying out the interviews and everyone had to speak English.  Gasly asked to give his second comment in Italian, "prego" was the answer and he spoke well; perhaps this is his pitch for a Ferrari seat or perhaps he just wants to get away from the track alive.  Russell gave this a big round of applause.

Netherlands GP Qualifying Report

There was bad news at the start of Qualifying: there would not be any more rain over the race weekend.

With Aston Martin making improvements the floundering Williams may now struggle to make it out of the first Qualifying session.  There were no incidents or accidents and Piastri, last year's pole-sitter, was fastest.  In the end Albon went through but Sainz was out followed by Alonso, Stroll, Bearman, Bottas and Perez.  It was Ocon and the Audis that made great laps.   Tsunoda, standing in for Lawson, who is standing in for Hadjar, was seventh quickest and showing that he is getting to grips with the new regulation cars quickly.

The second session was as exciting as the first, in that it wasn't.  This time the McLaren of Norris was fastest.  Out went Gasly, Tsunoda (only two places behind his team mate), Hulkenberg, Colapinto (who could not put together a good lap), Ocon and Albon.

Then we were halfway through the final Qualifying session and rain came down.  Most drivers got out early and put in their hot lap.  Norris hit the sweet spot before the track became too wet.  For a minute we watched the clock tick down to zero with no one on track before pole was confirmed.  Norris took pole showing a true resurgence for McLaren.  Russell and Antonelli completed the top three.  Behind them were Piastri, Hamilton, LeClerc, Verstappen, Lawson, Bortoleto and Linblad.

I will make sure I have a crossword or two to complete during the race.  Or maybe a little Sunday snooze?

Hungary GP Qualifying Report

Everyone was geeing up for their Summer holidays but there was still work to be done before they could go on vacation.  Aside from getting a place on the grid several teams had bought upgrades that needed testing IRL.

Hungary is a track with limits that need to be kept too and a gust of win or misplaced confidence can lead to lap times being deleted.  Sainz was the first person off the track in the first Qualifying session and his old team mate Leclerc followed him in losing that place.  Norris was fastest and seemed to have a quiet confidence in his ability to string together three good sectors.  Out went Bearman, Sainz, Albon, Stroll, Perez and Bottas.  The Aston Martins have definitely secured the position of being faster than the Cadillacs with their upgrades and possibly the Williams too.

The traditinally quick teams had a tough time in the second session.  Hadjar spun out in his Red Bull right at the start, Antonelli was the only driver to have his lap time deleted and the Mercedes could only manage eighth and ninth.  Norris was fastest again so it seemed likely that someone else would stop sandbagging and take actual pole.  Lawson (who was having a horrible time), Gasly, Colapinto (or Colour Printer as the subtitles dubbed him), Bortoleto, Ocon and Alonso went out.  There was a little disappointment that Alonso could not get higher as their appeared to be promise there.

The Red Bulls saw a spin again in the final session, as Verstappen pirouetted right at the end.  Usually the track keeps improving all the way to the end of Qualifying but that seemed to fizzle out this time.  Norris took pole from the two Ferraris who just couldn't touch him.  Russell stopped on the track at turn one and was medium-level angry; there was a major water leak from his car.  I am surprise it was actually real and not just his own panicky sweat.  Norris set his time so late that Hamilton had already parked in the pole-winners spot and the sign had to be moved.  Hamilton had a hunch that he was going to be demoted down the grid for impeding someone during the last session and he had; Piastri had shaken his fist at him after he cut him up on a fast lap.  He would be moved back three places to fifth position.  Antonelli would also be give a three place grid penalty for failing to slow when there were Yellow Flags; I would have thought this dangerous behaviour warrented a higher punishment.

Pole is relatively important in Hungary but the field looked wide open for the race win; drivers from McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes or even Red Bull could take it. 

Belgium GP Qualifying Report

First Gasly and then Hamilton crashed into the same bit of wall during Free Practice; Gasly gave his team 24 hours more to fix the car before Qualifying.  Everyone was ready for the first session and we were having an unusual Spa because the weather was not top of the agenda.  There were no shock exits in the bottom six: Albon, Ocon, Bottas, Perez, Alonso and Stroll.  It was Norris, Verstappen and Hadjar at the top of the time sheet with the highest running Mercedes being Russell in fifth.  Was it looking like the battle to bring upgrades was finally paying off?

Antonelli was back at the top after the second session.  The bottom siz were Lawson, Gasly, Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Sainz and Bearman.  

Between sessions, Hulkenberg had to retire his car at the side of the track because of a hydraulics leak.  He was removed quickly.  With six minutes to go, the final session was Red Flagged and stopped because there was gravel on the track.  Norris was fairly close to pole but abandoned his last lap allowing Antonelli to take it.  Behind him was Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Linblad, Bortoleto and Hadjar who did not set a time despite going out to give his team mate a tow.

Hadjar will start at the back of the grid and Norris will move back ten places, both for taking on new parts to their cars.  It still looks like an interesting front row to start the Belgian Grand Prix with although I feel it is inevitable that Verstappen will lead the first ten laps or so before Antonelli takes over for the win.

GB GP Qualifying Report

Hot from the Sprint race, Qualifying began.  Russell shocked everyone with an early off through the gravel at the start of the first session.  He managed to keep it going and get back to the grid.  The Ferraris were flying again, as they had been in Sprint Qualifying, but the Red Bulls were up there with them.  New tyres and a hotter track made the late runners set very quick times with Hulkenberg popping in the fourth fastest time.  Predictably, out went Ocon, Bottas, Colapinto (who had an off too), Perez, Stroll (less predictably ahead of...) and Alonso.  Hadjar was the fastest.

The second session was less eventful.  The most exciting thing to happen was that Hulkenberg had a lap deleted.  The bottom six were: Bortoleto, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Sainz and Albon.  It was a weekend to forget at their home track for Williams.  Ominously, Antonelli was the fastest.

It was even less exciting in the final session.  There was an unsafe release.  There was no shock at the top: it was Antonelli.  It was a shock in second, where Leclerc beat his team mate.  The top ten lined up: Antonelli, Leclerc, Hamilton, Russell, Hadjar, Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Linblad and Lawson.

Hopefully it will be close racing at the front during the Race Proper.  Will Leclerc and Hamilton come together?  It seems that Russell doesn't have it in him this weekend for a team mate battle to be a worry for Mercedes.

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 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!).

Monaco GP Qualifying Report

The drivers were already to take on this great challenge...sorry, no Kim Kardashian was ready to walk the pit lane as though it was the world's greatest catwalk.  The sun was shining in the province.  The cars' restrictions had been lessened and drivers were looking forward to the best Saturday on the season's calendar.

Antonelli was a little all-over-the-shop in the first Qualifying session.  The near-rookie who made the mistake though was Bortoleto who clipped a curb and nearly managed to stop in time but broke his suspension instead.  He was stranded on the track and the session was stopped with a red flag.  Some drivers appeared safe and in the pit lane, others went out to try and secure a spot in the top sixteen.  The Williams' put in great laps for ninth and tenth.  Bortoleto was through in fifteenth, which felt unfair.  Out went Ocon, Perez, Bearman, Bottas, Alonso and Stroll.  Is this the start of another awful weekend for Aston Martin?  Where is the Newey magic we (and Fernando) were promised?  It seems like Monaco is not a good track for the Haas as well.

The second session was uneventful.  Williams had peaked and finished in eleventh and twelfth; they pushed too hard.  Behind them were Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Linblad and Bortoleto.  Fastest was Max Verstappen who suddenly was much quicker and Russell could only manage eighth.

With a couple of seconds to go, having not put in a particularly good lap so far, Leclerc took provisional pole.  Up until then Antonelli and Verstappen had been quickest and there was still some time for them to do some good work.  The Ferrari driver needed a crash.  Verstappen did indeed get pole and then Hamilton took second place.  The Mercedes drivers were still going...Just as Antonelli did take pole, Leclerc was pushing again but bumped the wall and gained a puncture.  The top ten line-up would be Antonelli, Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Hadjar, Russell, Piastri, Norris, Gasly and Lawson.

The teenager was over the moon.  Could he sustain focus and keep it on the black stuff for a whole Monaco race?  Russell's response would also be interesting.

Canada GP Qualifying Report

There was no big news between the Sprint and Qualifying.  The pundits were very excited that Antonelli might try and get his own back on Russell over the weekend.

Aston Martin bought the early drama with an unsafe release for Alonso and a wheel rim falling off for Stroll.  There were a lot of sloppy laps from the drivers in the first session and out went Ocon, Albon, Alonso, Perez, Stroll and Bottas.  Yet again it was not looking like to would be Stroll's year to win at home.  Antonelli was the fastest ahead of the two McLarens.  His team mate was in eighth and we assumed sandbagging.

The action in the second session was at the top of the time sheet: Hadjar took the quickest lap right at the end with a ramshackle smattering of top runners behind him.  The bottom six were Hulkenberg, Lawson, Bortoleto, Gasly, Sainz and Bearman.  It wasn't a great showing for Williams despite having shown promise recently.  The Alpines and Audis really seem to be making progress.

Russell came quite close to the wall of champions in the final session but not close enough to be a champion.  There were lots of quick laps in the last minute.  It was very close between the two Mercedes with Russell getting it on the last lap set.  The top ten were Russell, Antonelli, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton, Verstappen, Hadjar, Leclerc, Linblad and Colapinto.  Linblad is really outshining Lawson this weekend and Leclerc cannot shine as brightly as Hamilton, who, as we are always told, loves Canada.

Take a close look at Antonelli in the interviews; he looks like his figure has been added in in the edit and has been sized too small.

Miami GP Qualifying Report

Before we could find out what order the drivers would start for the race, we learnt that thunder storms were on their way to Miami meaning the whole of idea of racing could change.  

As the first session got under way, it was Verstappen who set the quickest time initially.  Hulkenberg, who needed a new engine in his Audi, was out at the start of the session but his colleague Bortoleto was having work done and he didn't.  A lot of fixing was done and he did get out eventually; it was pointless because he was last and then his brakes caught on fire.  Piastri could only just make 16th, which is the last slot before you are out of Qualifying.  Linblad, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas, Perez and Bortoleto went out; no surprises here.

All Norris could do in the second session was seventh.  It seemed that there was going to be a huge sea change since the morning.  Hulkenberg, Lawson, Bearman, Sainz, Ocon and Albon went out.  Verstappen was still the fastest followed by Antontelli.

After the first round of laps in the final session, several drivers were in contention for pole including Verstappen and LeClerc but Antonelli was quickest.  Antonelli continued to maintain that position but it looked like Verstappen would take it from him on the final lap set of the session.  The top ten were Antonelli, Verstappen, LeClerc, Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Colapinto, Hadjar and Gasly.  The disparity between the two Mercedes drivers is going, with the young arrival starting to outshine his old team mate.  The McLarens lost any advantage they had during the Sprint to the wind or possibly something else.  Verstappen suddenly seemed strong out of nowhere.  Colapinto seems to really have the measure on his more experienced and highly rated team mate at Alpine, Gasly.

Journalists are not going to stop asking Antonelli whether or not he can make a good start, starting with Brundle in his immediate interview.  Verstappen however was very happy with how things had gone.  The race start could be moved or who knows what else if the rain, thunder and lightning come.  Will Antonelli be lightning off the start though?  Who will be thunderous in their disappointment with their team's performance (I predict Sainz)?  We will find out if the change in regulations mean better races or will they remain only fun for the first few laps and then a train of cars?

Japan GP Qualifying Report

Had silly season begun already?  Two races in?  Jonathan Wheatley has left Audi (because Switzerland was too much.  I would have thought Switzerland was easier than Christian Horner.) and is strongly rumoured to be heading to Aston Martin.  Aston Martin had made no progress in getting their cars to be racable but Fernando has become a father.  In a surprising twist we are not speculating who is going to be imminently brought in to replace Hadjar in the second Red Bull seat, which usually has a revolving door policy.

There was absolutely no drama at all in the first Qualifying session.  Stroll was last and three seconds behind his team mate.  The Cadillacs of Perez and Bottas were ahead of the Aston Martins.  Bearman was the shock exit in 18th place; he just didn't string a lap together.  Albon was in 17th.  Colapinto nearly went out but got through, which would have meant both Williams were through to Q2.  Unusually, Albon made a strong complaint about the condition of his car compared to Sainz' over the radio.  A few drivers were vocal that it was their car and not them, including Russell and Verstappen.

The drama came in the second Qualifying session.  Linblad in his Racing Bull knocked out Verstappen in his Red Bull.  Antonelli had been fastest in both sessions so far.  The six out were Verstappen, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Lawson, Colapinto and Sainz.  All the drivers (apart from Ocon and Sainz) had team mates in the top ten.

At last, in the final session, it looked as though Russell might catch Antonelli.  He was nearly three tenths of a second off but was still second.  Piastri was third, LeClerc fourth; then Piastri, LeClerc, Norris, Hamilton, Gasly, Hadjar, Bortoleto and Linblad.

Antonelli was pleased but not surprised.  Russell was disappointed but not surprised.  Piastri was surprised.

We will have to see what sort of starts the drivers and cars can manage on race day as I suspect it might dictate some of the finishing result.  If you're not enjoying the racing on track because it's Japan, you can enjoy the outfits trackside; the spectators have really outdone themselves this year.

China GP Qualifying Report

Cars were queuing to get out well before the start of the first Qualifying session in Shanghai.  Bottas nudged his Cadillac out in front of the line in a most cheeky manner.   For the first time, in any significant running, LeClerc was at the top of the time sheet at the end.  Obviously followed by Russell and Antonelli but then Verstappen, which might raise a small, very small, smile.   Out went Sainz, Albon, Alonso, Bottas, Stroll and Perez (who only just got running).  The Williams seem have made a significant backwards step over the Winter but at least they're not being beaten by Cadillac unlike Aston Martin (yet).

With half a minute to go on in the second session, Bortoleto crashed out, which meant that a number of quick laps were ruined.  The Audi went skidding across the tarmac, then the gravel and finally into the barrier on a long journey away from the track.  It was only the Alpines who were really going for it and would be able to go through.  Gasly was already in the top ten but jumped to sixth.  Colapinto was only able to get twelfth, which meant Hadjar was safe in tenth.  Antonelli took first place, then LeClerc and then Russell in third, his grip on dominance slipping.  This was explained when he radioed to his team that he was having "major understeer" and asked them to prepare a new front wing.  The drivers departing Qualifying were: Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Ocon, Lawson, Linblad and Bortoleto.

Things went from being somewhat bad to absolutely awful in the final session for Russell as his engine groaned and grunted around and he came to a stop on the track.  He couldn't find the gears but got going again and was able to get back to the pits.  After the first round of quick laps, his team mate Antonelli was the quickest.  McLaren seemed to have found something though and were ahead of the Ferraris.

There was a lot of camera focus on the Mercedes garage but the mechanics all looked very calm as they tried one thing after another.  With a couple of minutes to go, Russell was out of the pit and on his way.  All the drivers were improving their quickest laps, pushing each other lower each time they crossed the line.   Russell put in three green sectors, which meant that Antonelli took pole to be the youngest pole sitter ever and the first Italian for a long time.  Behind the Mercedes' lines up Hamilton, LeClerc, Piastri, Norris, Gasly (who will be pleased to be ahead of...), Verstappen, Hadjar and Bearman.

In the press conference, Hamilton praised "this big lad" Antonelli but is this a careful way of undermining him?  Gasly seems to be riding high and seemed happy.  His former team mate, Verstappen, was not expecting anything better but seemed philosophical.  Once again (although I shouldn't be saying this before the second race of the season) it will be Ferrari who will be bringing the challenge to the Mercedes.  The biggest question hanging over the grid will be reliability.

Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying Report

The last ten races at this circuit had been won from pole position.  This was the most important Saturday of the season.

The weekend had got off to a better start for some than others.  Norris, Piastri and Verstappen had fielded many, many questions about their championship hopes.  Also under scrutiny was Hamilton, who then spun out of nowhere in Free Practice 3 and smashed his Ferrari nose-first into the tyre wall.

It was a fairly boring first Qualifying session until after the Chequered Flag was waved and Albon was knocked out followed by Hamilton (who was knocked out by Bortoleto).   The five drivers out were Hamilton, Albon (not how either of them would want to end the year, with their team mate in the top ten), Hulkenberg, Gasly and Colapinto.  The Alpine drivers will be praying the team gets the regulation changes right next year.

The second session was even more boring.  Fastest was Russell, then Verstappen and Norris.  Out went Bearman, Sainz, Lawson, Antonelli and Stroll.  Apart from Sainz, all the others were bested by their teammates who went through, Ocon putting in a very good lap in his Haas to be ninth.

Gloves were off for the final session.  Red Bull sacrificed Tsunoda to give Verstappen a tow down the straight which helped him set a quick lap to be in first position at the end of the first set of laps.  Norris could not get his groove back around the track and left himself in a poor position for the final push.  Piastri's lap kept him second until Norris took it from him.  Verstappen was putting in an even quicker time behind them.  Russell tried his hardest to take it but was fourth.  Behind them was LeClerc, Alonso, Bortoleto, Ocon, Hadjar and Tsunoda (who didn't set a time).

Verstappen had given himself the best possible chance of winning the championship.    There are lots of different permutations and calculations to figure out who will take the crown and number one on their car next season.  I'm sure the commentators will keep us up to speed.