Portuguese Grand Prix – the race outlook

Mercedes, like last year.

The Silver Arrows resume their march forward. Like in the 2020 season – where Mercedes placed its two drivers on the front row thirteen times (out of seventeen) – the German team achieved a 1-2 finish at Portimao. This time, it’s Valteri Bottas who set the fastest time in qualifying with a small margin over his teammate (7 milliseconds), not Lewis Hamilton. The Finn, who struggled in the first two GPs, kickstarted his season by securing pole position at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.

Behind, the situation is a bit different from last season. Already because Red Bull manages, this time, to find the counterpart of Max Verstappen with Sergio Perez. But also and above all because the Dutchman manages to keep up with the pace of the Mercedes. Verstappen thought he would secure his second pole of the season after Bahrain. However, he went off track and his time was logically canceled by the race officials. The two drivers of the Austrian team will start from the second row in the end.

Sainz launches his season.

Rather shy at the wheel of his Ferrari since the beginning of the season, Carlos Sainz asserted himself this Saturday afternoon. Fifth in qualifying, he narrowly missed out on Sergio Perez’s Red Bull. The Spaniard took the lead among the outsiders and allowed himself to finish ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc (see below).

The McLarens did not have a good time. Lando Norris, much less in rhythm, could not do better than seventh place. Worse, Daniel Ricciardo was eliminated in Q1 with the usual Haas as well as Lance Stroll who proves Aston Martin’s difficulties this season. Sebastian Vettel somewhat reassured himself by finishing P10.

Ocon, still ahead of Alonso

He’s going to start getting used to it. **Esteban Ocon** finished ahead of his teammate **Fernando Alonso** (13th) once again. Since the opening qualifying session in Bahrain, where the Spaniard had outperformed the Norman, the latter has only left scraps for his world champion teammate. This Saturday afternoon, he even did better. He achieved a nice sixth place, the first of the French-speaking drivers. A welcome performance as the Portuguese track seemed well-suited to the characteristics of the Alpine.

Pierre Gasly also made it to Q3 but settled for ninth place, well ahead of his rookie teammate Yuki Tsunoda (14th). Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc fought hard and had difficulties in choosing the right tires. He eventually secured an eighth place and was the only one to make it through to Q2 on medium tires.

Haas still at the bottom of the standings.

The horizon is not clearing for Haas. The two rookie drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin will start 19th and 20th. Reinforcing the trend that this season will be long, very long for the American team. The son of the illustrious seven-time world champion was nevertheless feeling some regrets, as during Q3 he had set the 15th fastest time. « I think we were ready to finish higher. I feel more comfortable in the car with every passing hour and every passing day. »

Dry weather

If you were counting on rain to spice up the Sunday GP, as was the case in the last race at Imola, you will be disappointed! The weather should be fair for the third race of the season, just like this Saturday afternoon. It might be a little warmer, but rain is not expected to be a factor in the Portuguese event.

So see you at 4pm this Sunday afternoon for the start of the third Grand Prix of the season. Of course, with the reactions and analysis to follow on Motors Inside.