All Drivers completed the Qualifying Sessions trying to give their best and some qualified with pole position whereas some surprisingly failed to qualify at the expected or wanted grid position.
An analysis and a look at the predicted leaderboard formation.
The expectation were that there would be a Mercedes front row lookout and they might be followed by a Red Bull and Racing Point cars. The first 3 were as expected, two Mercedes and one Red Bull. But they were followed by Lando Norris in a McLaren as both Red Bull and McLaren showed off their real pace during the qualifying sessions.
The most disappointing constructor was Ferrari as both of the two Scuderia Ferrari cars failed to qualify in the top 5 on the grid and Sebastian Vettel failed to not only outqualify his teammate but also failed to move into Q3 solely on the basis of not having enough pace for the first time ever in his career as an F1 driver for Scuderia Ferrari.
THE FERRARI FRONT IS TOO BACK
This highlights the issue of Ferrari failing to come as a challenger in the 2020 season but there is still some hope pinned to the new upgraded version of their ca which is supposed to be seen in action from the Hungarian Grand Prix 2 weeks later. Ferrari faced some engine problems during the 2019 season and had issues in performing as competitive as Red Bull. There was also a controversy regarding their engine.
Ferrari do not have that power to challenge Mercedes as their racing system is not that good. As Vettel and Leclerc themselves admitted, the car is not upto the mark and they are not provided with enough pace and and balanced tuning to be able to push that car to the limits and get faster laps. Vettel is pinning his hopes to the long race of the Grand Prix.
Ferrari driver’s have good skills and might be able to get something done but the other drivers who have been able to outqualify Ferrari, are also good and they have cars, which as per Friday Free Practice data, performs better and faster than the two Ferraris In the long run. So, it might be very hard for Ferrari to achieve a good position with the Racing Point’s slightly disputed cars setting up a good show. The Austrian track also may not be that favourable for them.
THE RUSSELL RUN IS VERY RELEVANT
George Russell is putting up a very good show. He failed to qualify for Q2 but in his Williams, which has also improved a lot from the last year, he showed what he is capable of. He was only 7 tenths away from the mark from where he would move onto Q2, and he did not even seem to struggle a lot in his Williams while pushing it a lot.
If he gets a little upgradation support from the car, he might start giving a push for the points. For the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, Russell might finish higher up than history and finish atleast in the Top 15, especially, if he gets a good start as Williams are doing better than Alfa Romeo as a whole and Russell will just need that one boost at the start to continue with his good pace and overtake Kevin Magnussen. Considering the fact that Williams have not had any major aerodynamic or cooling problems, Austria might give some fruits of their hardwork throughout the Winter and during the Covid period.
The main problem is that Russell is very talented and can utilise his car to the fullest but Williams do not have enough development that they are able to put into their cars. If Williams get a more fairer playing field, like what is expected from the 2021 season, and get some reliable financial backing, they can start reaching new heights with Russell. Coming back to the main point – the Austrian Grand Prix 2020 – Russell seems to be in a good position to break some records for himself.
RACING POINT VS RENAULT VS McLAREN VS RED BULL
The new midfield fight has gotten better and also includes Red Bull, at least for the Austrian Grand Prix with Racing Point working fast throughout the race track and Red Bull drivers facing some constant trouble in the corners throughout the Free Practice session while doing long runs.
What can be expected would that Red Bull might be challenged by Racing Point and McLaren, whereas from Renault, Ricciardo might be looking to drag his racecar till the end and beat atleast one Racing Point and one McLaren car.
Racing Point have improved a lot and if they are able to utilise their car, which would look like a Mercedes if the same livery is put on, to the fullest and understand what exactly their strong points are, then both their drivers do have the capabilities and strengths to keep achieving positions in the Top 5. They have a good race speed but their drivers will have to utilise the speed on the straights a lot.
McLaren also showed their true pace and have definitely improved but their main testament will be the race itself.
PREDICTED LEADERBOARD
ALL THE BEST TO ALL THE CONSTRUCTORS AND THE DRIVERS !!
spielens 