Formula One is well into Free Practice 2 now, as the drivers look to test their speed at the high-downforced Catalunya track ahead of this weekends race.
Valterri Bottas topped FP1, with his teammate Lewis Hamilton leading the Finn as Mercedes currently have a 1-2 lead halfway through FP2.
With that in mind, we at Park Life Sport decided to give ourselves the unenviable and near impossible job of predicting our top 10 starters ahead of qualifying on Saturday. Here we go!
Sean’s Predictions
P1 – Lewis Hamilton
Inevitably, Hamilton is well overdue for achieving his remarkable 100th career pole in the sport, at a track that he has won at the last four years, and looks a strong bet as always to see at the front of the grid.
P2 – Max Verstappen
The last driver to take a win in Spain, at his debut race for Red Bull in 2016, the Dutchman has been consistent this season in splitting the two Mercedes, and looks set to continue that streak in Barcelona.
P3 – Valtteri Bottas
Bottas has come under increased pressure this season, sitting fourth in the standings after the opening three races, and will need a strong performance this weekend to try and silence his growing critiques, and the seemingly looming figure of George Russell looking for his seat next season.
P4 – Esteban Ocon
Alpine have been improving week by week since a dismal opening in Bahrain, and after receiving upgrades ahead of this weekend’s race, the Frenchman has been challenging the Red Bulls in both practise sessions so far, and will definitely be one to watch.
P5 – Sergio Perez
The Mexican has been solid if unspectacular since joining Red Bull, reaching P4 last weekend in Portimao, and will aim to continue closing the gap to his teammate Verstappen.
P6 – Charles Leclerc
Ferrari’s struggles last year were well documented, but they appear to have improved significantly last season, with Leclerc certainly extracting everything from the SF21, sitting P5 in the standings, and will hope to keep that up in Spain.
P7- Fernando Alonso
The two time World Champion has steadily improved his performances alongside Alpine in the opening three races, and will look to extend their gap in the Constructors against sixth placed Alpha Tauri.
P8 – Pierre Gasly
Speaking of Alpha Tauri, Gasly has been battling against the fellow midfield teams so far, and will aim to continue hoovering up more points as the season progresses.
P9 – Lando Norris
Norris has been one of the strongest performers this season, sitting an unbelievable P4 in the standings, ahead of Bottas in the much faster Mercedes, and well ahead of his vastly more experienced teammate Daniel Riccardo. Despite an unspectacular two sessions on Friday, expect Norris to be battling forwards on Sunday.
P10 – Carlos Sainz
And onto his former teammate at McLaren, Sainz has been potentially the best performing drivers to have swapped teams this season, and we back the Spaniard to sneak into Q3 and complete my Top 10.
Jamie’s Prediction
P1 – Hamilton
Looked good in FP2 and will be confident after victory in Portugal
P2 – Verstappen
Not had an ideal weekend so far, but should come into his own on Saturday
P3 – Bottas
Although Bottas seems far from his best on Sundays, his qualifying pace is still good.
P4 – Leclerc
Ferrari are always improving and Leclerc could challenge for a second-row spot.
P5 – Ocon
Alpine have made great strides forward in the last couple of weeks.
- Perez
- Sainz
- Alonso
P9 – Norris
P10 – Gasly
