After Max Verstappen had initially gained the upper hand at the start, Mercedes's Lewis Hamilton fought back and executed a two-stop strategy to perfection towards the race win. Verstappen had to be content with second as Bottas finished a bleak third.
Loving the war of the practice times here I’m just gonna throw Kimis purple S1 time in the mix, to further confirm that we will know the true pace after Q3 is done
Last edited by Tvetovnato on 08 May 2021, 13:09, edited 1 time in total.
Looks incredibly close heading into qualifying. Looking at the fastest laps, despite Max going fastest, I'd say Mercedes has a bit more pace they can unleash. They didn't seem to improve much on their 2nd runs, and looked a bit more scruffy compared to Max (who in turn, also didn't have the cleanest of laps on his final run)... though I think there is more room for improvement for Mercedes than Red Bull at this stage.
I think the fight for P3 will be close... Ferrari definitely looks impressive and both drivers getting a lot out of the car, but Norris was on quite a solid lap before the car decided to yeet itself into the gravel of Turn 10... no doubt he'll be in the fight for that battle. Kimi up solidly in the Top 10 was very surprising... doubt we'll see that result come to fruition for Qualifying, but worth a mention regardless.
Max is on the ragged edge here wringing the neck purple!
Good effort though, Maxie. I saw the fist pump right after he nailed that lap. Means its was a "one shot" affair. Surprised if he can replicate that.
Mercedes boys are more comfortable in achieving the lap time.
The redBull looks to have more grip in the last sector so they have corrected something since P2 even in the hands of Perez it looks quite grippy. No longer understeering. Not sure what really was holding it back from getting consitently good laps.. Maybe sensitivty to tyre deg? Anyway.. I am putting Mercedes on Pole with Max only standing a chance if he can absolutely NAIL every corner.
Max is on the ragged edge here wringing the neck purple!
Good effort though, Maxie. I saw the fist pump right after he nailed that lap. Means its was a "one shot" affair. Surprised if he can replicate that.
Mercedes boys are more comfortable in achieving the lap time.
The redBull looks to have more grip in the last sector so they have corrected something since P2 even in the hands of Perez it looks quite grippy. No longer understeering. Not sure what really was holding it back from getting consitently good laps.. Maybe sensitivty to tyre deg? Anyway.. I am putting Mercedes on Pole with Max only standing a chance if he can absolutely NAIL every corner.
100% Merc pole this. ( watch this being quoted in two hours or so and me looking like a clown )