2023 Qatar GP Sprint Race Preview

James Punt has already penned an in depth outright betting preview. See that here. His 2023 Qatar GP Sprint Race update is below.

2023 Qatar GP Sprint Race

Thank goodness the qualifying sessions are over. I was getting sick of ‘track deletions’ being the two most commonly used words of the day. It is a bit of a joke, as was moving three of the corners inwards at the last minute.

Pirelli have identified a potential problems with the serrated kerbs causing vibrations inside the tyres which may weaken the side walls structural integrity. We won’t know the full ramifications of this until Pirelli have carried out a forensic investigation of the tyres after this evening’s Sprint Race has finished.

There are contingency plans to have a mandated three stop race tomorrow, but hopefully we will know well in advance. The Sprint Race will go ahead as normal with a 19 lap race.

McLaren Quick

What we have learned so far is that the McLaren has the legs on the Red Bull around this track and it was hugely frustrating for both of them to lose their best qualifying times in yesterday’s qualifying for Sundays race. Our double podium finish for McLaren got shafted at that moment.

The Sprint Race shootout saw a McLaren 1-2 with Oscar Piastri fastest from Norris who made a mistake on the very last corner. Norris has been making a lot of mistakes so far and he is not a happy bunny.

2023 Qatar GP Sprint Race: Team-by-Team

McLaren

The track layout here with no slow corners is perfect for McLaren. I expected them to be good, but not faster than Verstappen, but here they are, a front row lock out for the Petit Prix. They are very much in the mix for the win.

One worry is that their straight line pace is poor and they could be vulnerable to attack on the straight, if anyone gets close enough after all the fast corners.

Red Bull

Verstappen said that his car was unsettled by the wind at times and he didn’t drive a great lap in the final session. He remains in the mix for the win, but for once he has two cars ahead of him and ahead on merit.

Perez is having another horrible weekend and he is scrabbling around in the hunt for the crumbs. His hold on second place in the championship becomes ever more tenuous. Verstappen’s chance could come on the straight if he can get within DRS range.

Mercedes

George Russell is on the pace and starts fourth. The car is better than expected and in decent shape, especially for tomorrow’s race.

Lewis Hamilton has struggled outside of yesterday’s qualifying session and he failed to reach Q3 today. That wasn’t due to a deleted lap time, he was just slow, and lot slower than Russell.

Ferrari

Leclerc has been the more consistent of the two drivers but Sainz faster in two of the three sessions. Leclerc says he has set his car up with the cooler track conditions for the sprint and main race but the worry for Ferrari must be tyre deg, even over a 19 lap race.

They look to be behind the McLarens, Verstappen and Russell but a top 6 finish is within their reach.

Haas

Hulkenberg once again showed amazing one lap pace to qualify in seventh place. Even in a shortened format, his Haas will find reverse for the sprint race.

Aston Martin

Alonso has shown good pace right up to the sprint race qualifier when he could only manage ninth place after a deleted lap time. He has chosen an interesting low drag set up which is making him fast on the straight, usually a weakness.

Alonso will be hard to pass and might be able to pull off some overtaking, something that looks very hard on this track. He should be an improver for the sprint. The less said about Stroll the better.

Alpine

Qualified 10th and 11th which is a fair reflection of where they are. Points are only paid out for the top eight in the sprint and that is likely to be just out of reach.

Alfa Romeo

Their recent upgrade is being refined and it has helped, but not by any great margin.

Alpha Tauri

Disappointing.

Williams

Hating the high downforce set up.

Sprint Race Bets

Oscar Piastri is making less mistakes than Norris and hopefully has Norris riding shotgun for him, holding Verstappen at bay for as long as possible.

2023 Qatar GP Sprint Race Tip: 1 point Oscar Piastri to win @ 4.33 with Skybet

The fast starting Alonso has shown surprisingly good pace thanks to his low drag set up. He looks like he will be fast in the right places in terms of overtaking (the straight).

The Spaniard has the race shy Haas in front of him, the hard to predict Perez and the two Ferraris could be within his reach. He will be busting a gut to make up as many places as he can and 6th is on his radar.

2023 Qatar GP Sprint Race Tip: 1 point Alonso to finish in the top 6 @ 3.60 with Betfair

-JamesPunt