As sprint qualifying returns for the last time this season, we dissect information and try to get a clearer picture of what we can expect to see over the weekend in Sao Paulo.
Free Practice 1 Analysis
The practice sessions had mixed results, and we saw Hamilton outperforming Verstappen. Analysis graphs showed Lewis outbraking Verstappen in Turn 4 after the second DRS straight, gaining him a couple of tenths.
The Ferraris also seemed to show decent pace at the beginning of the practice session but were soon overshadowed by the Mercedes. They seem to struggle through the middle sector but make up for it in the first sector that they seem to be quicker than even the Red Bulls. They are also crucially quicker than the McLarens, their championship rivals.
Mercedes seem to be dominating the final sector, due to their straight line speed advantage, as the last sector is almost taken completely flat out. However, Red Bull seem to have the upper hand through the technical and twisty middle sector that requires quite a bit of mechanical grip and high downforce.
Qualifying Analysis
The Mercedes dominated all three qualifying sessions and posting the fastest and third fastest time in Q3. A track that usually favours the high downforce setup of the Red Bulls seems to be favouring the Silver Arrows this weekend. Mercedes surprised the whole paddock by demonstrating this domination in the qualifying.
Meanwhile, both the Alfa Romeos made it into Q2, knocking Lance Stroll out. Fernando Alonso made it into Q3 after a disappointing qualifying last time around in Mexico.
Verstappen and Red Bull will have to do race simulation runs and test excessively in the last practice session in order to analyse each tire performance and pull off the best strategy on Sunday if they are to challenge Mercedes.
Another big news is Lewis Hamilton receiving a 5 place grid penalty for his fifth ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) of this season. This means Max is more likely to start the race on pole position.
DRS Drama
After qualifying, quite a bit of speculation about Mercedes gaining an unfair advantage by using an illegal DRS technique, where it was noted that the DRS flap opened wider than the allowed maximum limit which is 85mm. As a result, they gained a little straight line speed, which gained them lap time, illegally.
Max Verstappen has also been summoned by the FIA for a meeting scheduled 9:30 AM Saturday Sau Paulo time. As of Friday night in Sao Paulo, no further updates have been provided. The FIA commented that they will provide further updates on Saturday, before the sprint qualifying session.
Disqualifications and more
1:33PM Sao Paulo Time: After the Free Practice 2 session on Saturday afternoon, the FIA have fined Max Verstappen EUR 50000, due to his actions that suggested tampering with the Mercedes car, hence violating article 2.5.1, after the car was locked in parc-ferme conditions.
2:00PM Sao Paulo Time: Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from Friday's qualifying session that sets the grid for the sprint qualifying. As a result of the disqualification, he starts from the back of the grid for the sprint race.
Lewis also has to bear in mind he still has the 5 place grid penalty for the race on Sunday, and starting last for the sprint race is quite a spanner in the works. This is quite an unexpected turn to an already mind-blowing season.
We are in for a truly exciting and dramatic weekend here in the heart of Brazil. As the tension and the pressure builds, who will fall victim? Stay tuned for more articles and driver ratings for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix 2021.
Well articulated and keeping the reader on the grip till the end, now wanting to see the race 😀
Awesome.