2023 Bahrain GP Qualifying Update & Tips – JP
2023 Bahrain GP Qualifying Update
Now, it is time for James Punt’s 2023 Bahrain GP Qualifying Update. He has already posted a 2023 F1 season preview, check that out here.
2023 Bahrain GP Qualifying
The first qualifying session is upon us and we are about to find out who has got what when the fuel comes out, and the power units are turned up.
We have had hints in test and firm suggestions in free practice, but this is the time to drop the pants and show what you’ve got.
It looks pretty clear now that what we have got is a two horse race, between Aston Martin and Red Bull. Between Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. Just 0.005 separated them this afternoon.
Those afternoon sessions are not representative of the track conditions for qualifying, the track will be cooler and faster. The FP2 session was more representative and we had the same story there, Alonso first with Verstappen second by 0.169.
The margins are small enough to mean that the drivers are going to have to be perfect. Any small error and the chance will be gone.
Leclerc Might Join The Party
The challenge form Ferrari and Mercedes has not faded. Ferrari has been no better than 4th in any session and Leclerc was 0.460 off the pace in FP2 and 0.284 this afternoon. If they were lugging around a heavy fuel load, maybe Leclerc can join the party. Hamilton got a bit closer today with 4th place but he sounds very deflated and he knows they don’t have the pace of the two at the top.
There is one choice to be made and it looks quite simple. Alonso for pole. It could well be Verstappen, but it looks to be a bit of a coin toss and Alonso is 3.75 which is nice for a coin toss. The Red Bull looks to have better race pace and an Alonso pole might set up a decent price for a Verstappen race win.
2023 Bahrain GP Qualifying Tip: 1 point Fernando Alonso to be fastest qualifier @ 3.75 with Betvictor (3.60 Boylesports)
The pecking order would seem to be Red Bull/Aston but Stroll is not yet up to speed. He should still make Q3, however. Ferrari and Mercedes should have both drivers in Q3 so who can fill the last two places?
The Alpines have not been great but Gasly was 7th in FP and 10th this afternoon. They would still seem to have some more potential. McLaren have had a driver in the top 10 in every session but the car looks tricky and getting a perfect lap in might be difficult. Alfa Romeo seem to be on the cusp and Bottas is good around here.
I would think one of or both Alpines and perhaps Bottas, but Gasly makes the most appeal.