2022 Miami GP Qualifying Update and Tips – JP
2022 Miami GP Qualifying Update
Now, it is time for a brief 2022 Miami GP Qualifying update. You can also check out James Punt’s ante-post preview by clicking here.
2022 Miami GP Qualifying
A new track is always harder to get to grips with, literally and metaphorically.
The design of this Miami track is causing problems. Going even slightly off the racing line and the cars are on ice. There is very little run off areas in places and we have seen a number of drivers in the wall from very innocuous incidents. That brings out the red flag and the session is interrupted. In FP2 yesterday the longest ‘long’ run was 5 laps.
If you get a bet on this qualifying session to overrun its 1 hour slot, it would be gold. If there isn’t a red flag to recover someone from the wall, I’m a Dutchman.
Sainz Suffering
Drivers to have suffered are Carlos Sainz (again), Bottas and Ocon. Sainz’ confidence is in bits, and he has been slow ever since, being careful not to crash again. Ocon crashed in FP3 and it remains to be seen if his car can be repaired in time for qualifying. It was a shame because the Alpine looks decent, with Alonso ending up 4th today.
The drivers in the mix for pole are the usual suspects, Verstappen and Leclerc. Charles Leclerc has been first or second in every session and his record of starting from the front row in every race this season looks set to continue. Carlos Sainz has yet to qualify higher than third and he has only managed 9th and 10th in the last two qualifying sessions. With him being low on confidence and on a punishing track, it is hard to see him throwing caution to the wind this evening.
Max Verstappen has had limited running due to technical problems in both FP1 and 2. So far, he hasn’t been higher than third in any session and a lack of track time on a new circuit hurts more than usual. He was very close to stuffing it into the wall late in FP3, caught out by the fiddly little mid lap sector. I can see him being a little cautious, not wanting to make a mistake that puts him down the grid.
Perez Foot Perfect
Sergio Perez on the other hand has hardly put a foot wrong, has done the donkey work for the team and was fastest in FP3. His qualifying performances in 2022 are much improved and he qualified on pole at Jeddah, a track, not unlike this one.
It looks like a three way fight between the two Red Bulls and Leclerc.
The best of the rest this afternoon was Fernando Alonso but he was 0.732 off Perez’ time. On near identical times to Alonso were Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher. Alonso I can understand, but Vettel and Schumacher? Both head scratchers.
Porpoising Problems
Much was made of Mercedes’ chances after good showings in FP on Friday, Russell being second and first, but this afternoon, the porpoising had returned and the car lacked grip. It seems their window of operation is tiny and it wasn’t open today.
With Sainz and Verstappen both missing a lot of track time, they may not be fully committed, not wanting a disaster qualifying. Leclerc is always there abouts and should arguably be favourite rather that 2.88, but I’ll take a chance that Perez can repeat his Jeddah pole position.
He didn’t put a foot wrong today, running most of the session on the hard tyre before switching to the soft and setting the fastest time with a very strong final sector.
