Put it this way, for what you have seen in these two days could have been worse. In the sense that up to ten minutes from the end it seemed impossible that someone could take the pole position from Lewis Hamilton. Then came Valtteri Bottas, winner a year ago, with that double overtaking on the Ferraris after the start: in front for only 4 thousandths at the end of the first lap, he forced Hamilton to force. So after a first superlative stretch, where he had gained 3 tenths, Lewis has made one of the rare mistakes of this season so far impeccable, aborting the ride.
VETTEL AGREES - Despite what Vettel could not take advantage of: the two reds are too slow. Seb third took 5 tenths, Raikkonen 8. In the third row another Ferrari engine, the one that drives the Haas of Magnussen that precedes the Force India of Ocon. Seventh position, best qualification, for the future Leclerc Ferrari. To close the 10 Perez, Grosjean and Ericsson.
THE Q2 - As expected Ferrari and Mercedes choose to qualify for the race with the ultra soft that guarantees greater consistency on the distance compared to the hyper soft that is used for the pole but the substance does not change compared to what already seen in Q1: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas divided by only 119 thousandths rule in front of Vettel and Raikkonen detached by 4 tenths. With Ricciardo, Verstappen, Gasly already in the backbox since the end of qualifying for the penalties taken remedied with the replacement of power unit and gearbox, Renault's decision not to run Sainz and Hulkenberg for freedom of choice of tires tomorrow in the race ( start in the sixth row) is lacking the adrenaline for the cut that is automatically passed by Leclerc, Grosjean, Magnussen, Ocon, Perez and Magnussen. In the final a general battle test for pole with Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel and Raikkonen on the track with hypersoft: the first two slow down dramatically before the finish, while the Ferrari drivers return to the pits, avoiding cutting it.
LA Q1 - The sun appeared in the clouds quickly warmed the track that reached 38 degrees, temperature never reached in free practice but this does not seem to have any influence on the balance of power: Hamilton, braked in the first rapid turn from traffic, is hoisted in the first place on the second lap launched and after having cooled the Hypersoft tire (used by all 20 riders) still lowers the limit, setting the lap time at 1'32 "410. The gap is already substantial: Bottas half a second, Vettel who is sixth behind the Red Bull Verstappen and Ricciardo, however, forced to leave the queue, and Raikkonen is even more than a second. Outside Hartley, however, that would leave behind for replacing power unit and gearbox, Alonso (same fate because of the new PU) Sirotkin, finished in the tail in the final stages, Vandoorne and Stroll.
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