Following a new qualifying format over Friday and Saturday at Silverstone, F1 finds itself in the rather unusual position when the driver who qualified fastest, starts the race second. Due to the new Sprint Race system, which has had mostly positive reviews it must be said, Max Verstappen yet again starts on pole ahead of Lewis Hamilton, despite the Brit qualifying faster on Friday evening. With the two title contenders on the front row, and Max’ Red Bull counterpart starting last following Sergio Perez’s Sprint race retirement, we look at what will surely be an intriguing Sunday In England, and one key in terms of both championships.
Team Play to give Lewis the edge…
As happy as Red Bull would have been at Max Verstappen turning Friday’s second place into pole position for Sunday, seeing Sergio Perez retire meaning a P20 start for the Mexican would have been a huge disappointment and something to give Mercedes real hope for raceday. The two-on-one advantage making up the front three drivers gives the Silver Arrows more options and can only help Sir Lewis Hamilton’s chances at his home Grand Prix. Expect the front two drivers to pull away over the first part of the race, but if Valtteri can stay within the pit window of the Dutch an, expect Lewis to benefit and take the win as the championship could twist again.
Don’t discount Valtteri…
This season, Valtteri Bottas himself would be the first to acknowledge he has underperformed. Not getting near the level of his teammate or either of the Red Bull drivers for much of the season, the Finn has a lot to prove without a confirmed drive for next season. With Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc poised to strike behind, Bottas has to stick with the front two. We know he’s a good driver and has the experience necessary to be a big part of Mercedes success this weekend at Silverstone. In the event Lewis and Max tangle, or the timing of a safety car works in his favour, he is more the capable of keeping the others behind him and claiming the win. An outside shot, of course, but not impossible by any stretch.
Alonso to struggle and fall back…
It is hard to debate the driver of the day for Saturday’s sprint race. The Spaniard had an outstanding first lap to climb up to P5 with the help of some weaving. It is hard to argue, however, that by the final laps of that race, the Alpine seemed out of place and ahead of faster cars that would have surely overtaken him, has the race gone the full distance, as it will on Sunday. As good a driver as Fernando Alonso is, you can expect him to fall back behind Sainz, Vettel and Gasly. It would be a big surprise if the two-time world champion scored points this weekend.
5 non finishers and at least 2 safety cars…
Another “outside-the-box” shout is that the British Grand Prix will through up a very entertaining race. Due to the high speed nature of the track, this writer predicts that at least five drivers will fail to see the chequered flag. Naming such drivers, is not only impossible but unfair (unless your first name is Nikita) but with lots of action and unpredictability, lots of drivers could finish way out of position. Perez may struggle to make the points, Kimi could find himself in the top 10 and look out for a resurgent Estaban Ocon to score well.
Lando v Charles for 4th…
If Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas all finish as expected then the battle for fourth will surely be between the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc and the McLaren of Lando Norris. Not that you should discount teammates Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo respectively, but on current “form” (and I use that word reluctantly) Lando and Charles are just simply getting more out of their car. Both drivers did well on Friday and Saturday so we know both these young drivers are quick around this track. With the pressure of home advantage, you may feel the Ferrari has the edge. However, expect the crowd to will the McLaren home and if any of the top three fail to finish, it will be the hometown lad in Orange who takes to the podium. In this writers prediction, however, he will have to settle for fourth.
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