2021 British GP Sprint Race Preview

The 2021 British GP Sprint race is a new twist added to the schedule this weekend and you can check out how James Punt thinks it will unfold below…

The one thing that this weekend’s revised strategy has achieved is to convince me that today is Sunday.

Friday, normally a day with two hour long practice sessions, had just one, followed by the familiar qualifying session which sets the starting grid for this afternoons Sprint Race qualifying, which in turns sets the grid for the Grand Prix tomorrow.

Lewis Hamilton shaded Verstappen by 0.075 seconds in the qualifying session, but you would have thought that he had won the World Championship again. It is a result that will only count for anything if he can convert it into pole position for the race. Then he would pick up three points and start the race on pole position. This when the real business starts.

2021 British GP Sprint: Mercedes Upgrades Make Difference

Verstappen wasn’t unduly worried by Mercedes pace. He knew Mercedes were bringing an upgraded package for their car and that they would close the gap. So, to be virtually neck and neck on a strong track for Mercedes is not a shock. This is it for Mercedes, no more upgrades, while Red Bull have more to come. Hamilton’s qualifying lap was not perfect and had he nailed the final sector he would have been further ahead.

The format for the Sprint race is a 17 lap race. Drivers have free choice of which tyre compound to use and there are no compulsory pit stops to be made. However, the drivers could choose to make one. If we had a safety car mid race for example, some drivers might gamble and pit for the soft tyre for a flat-out finish.

Car Complaints Verstappen

Verstappen was happy with the cars long run pace and this afternoon’s mini race and tomorrows Grand Prix are up for grabs. Verstappen was complaining of a bit of under steer, a slight lack of front end grip and that wouldn’t be so bad with more fuel and lower speeds in the longer runs. However, that set up is now set and this afternoon’s practice session was bit strange with the teams just gathering tyre use data as the cars were exactly the same as for Friday’s qualifying.

Max Verstappen as been fastest in both practice sessions, but it is very hard to read anything into todays session especially.

McLaren look to be an interesting proposition for the rest of the weekend. Normally their drivers pick up places compared to their qualifying positions. With them starting the sprint from 6th and 7th on the grid, that gives them a chance to make up places on the ‘real grid’. They looked particularly good on the medium tyre which is their likely choice of tyre today.

2021 British GP Sprint: Leclerc Shines

Leclerc continues to shine at Silverstone, fourth in qualifying yesterday, but questions marks remain over their ability, or lack of, to look after the tyres on long runs in these hot conditions. Sainz flopped in qualifying and will be looking to pick up a few places this afternoon in a very crowded midfield.

Alpine usually make up places in a race and Ocon has shown decent pace in free practice. However, he was a little disappointing in normal qualifying, but he should make up places and Alonso will be wringing the neck of his car to improve on 11th. Normally 11th is an OK place to start, but tomorrow, everyone gets to choose their tyres. So, that advantage is gone.

George Russell was a fine 7th yesterday but his race pace is usually lacking compared with his one lap pace and he will do well to hang on to a top 10 spot.

Hamilton and Verstappen To Fight It Out

Afterall the shenanigans, todays first sprint race is the usual battle between Hamilton and Verstappen. This weekend, Hamilton has a small edge. The first lap is the key. If he keeps ahead, he should hang on to pole, but a bad start and Verstappen could yet nick it. Red Bull say that with the limited time in free practice before parc ferme rules kicked in, they have concentrated on setting the car up for the race, so we might see where they are in a more realistic light today.

Hamilton is a best priced 1.73 to qualify on pole, Verstappen 2.25 and that looks about right. There is a slight temptation to go for Verstappen but the value is marginal.

There is one bet which might have some legs at a decent price. Lance Stroll only managed 15th yesterday, five places shy of teammate Vettel in 10th. Stroll is a quick start merchant while Vettel can be a bit clumsy in wheel to wheel battle, and it is likely to be a bit more fruity in the mid and rear midfield today as some drivers roll the dice and try gamble on being a bit more aggressive than usual. It is a speculative bet, but the odds make it worthwhile.

2021 British GP Sprint Tip: 1 point Lance Stroll to out qualify Vettel @ 4.50 with Ladbrokes

-JamesPunt