The fourth Grand Prix of the 2020 F1 Season swished off with all cars speeding and accelerating on the Silverstone Circuit. The first practice session and the second practice session, both were filled with similarities as they were several issues, speeds and accidents throughout the day. There was even a surprise as Nico Hulkenberg replaced Sergio Perez as Perez tested Covid – 19 positive. Hoping he gets well soon and stays fit.
This is what the Friday Sense tells brains:
- Racing Point have a clear shot at the podium in favourable races. They normally perform well in the Free Practice sessions but lose out during the race. In some races time, they should have a clear shot at the podium.
- In the first British Grand Prix, they might be seen pushing one driver more. That driver would be Stroll, he has been with the team throughout the first few races as well and understands the car very well.
- Hulkenberg gave a stellar starting performance but doesn’t have that feel of the car as of yet.
- Stroll has a feel of the car and Silverstone is a circuit which would be welcoming Mercedes type cars and hence, if they are able to downplay Red Bull, who have been very strong, then can get a third position. They just need to keep their car stable and hope for a dry qualifying.
- Red Bull have things to sort out for Alexander Albon’s car and bring the other car also upto the pace.
- Racing Point have also collected a lot of data in the FP1 and FP2 which may help them in the second race on the same track
- In the first British Grand Prix, they might be seen pushing one driver more. That driver would be Stroll, he has been with the team throughout the first few races as well and understands the car very well.
- A lot of steering precision is required on this circuit with the exquisite turns. Handling will be key and this is something that will also require a lot of support from the car. Red Bull can’t mess up their understeer and oversteer during the race. It can be very dangerous especially with some turns being filled with gravel in the run off areas.
- The apparent improvements in the Williams’s cars will be visible in this Grand Prix as they will have several opportunities and the speed intensity of the circuit pushes all the cars to their top limit and hence, the actual performance of the Williams car, in terms of speed and handling, will be visible.
- Williams, if they don’t have the speed, will suffer this weekend. The drivers shouldn’t try pushing the cars to the limit, if it doesn’t agree to do so, since they may run off in the sleek but tricky corners.
- Ferrari have faced several issues with Vettel’s car and it doesn’t seem that they have been able to fix those issues completely. They will have to up their speed and fix all issues in the car and the arrangement of everything, so that Vettel can get some proper FP3 running and have an issue free qualifying.
- Lewis Hamilton has a new power unit powering him through the track and pushing him to the top speeds, but as always he hasn’t been at his best in the Free Practice sessions. He is surely going to be better as he puts his act back together.
All in all, the teams have got to work out their tyre strategies very carefully and also find the perfect tuning. The teams need to work out their strategies according to the changing weather and the harder tyres.
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE CONSTRUCTORS AND THE DRIVERS!
spielens 