SATURDAY, 24TH OCT 2020
ROUND 12: HEINEKEN GRANDE PRÉMIO DE PORTUGAL 2020
The Portuguese Grand Prix is coming back after a whopping 25 years in 70 years of Formula 1! Located in the port city of Portimão, this track is the 73rd unique venue to be added to Formula 1.
This is a 15-turn track – 6 to the left and 9 to the right. Owing to its smaller lap size, this circuit features only 1 DRS (Drag Reduction System) zone at the end of the final turn of the lap.
WHAT DRIVERS NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR:
High Tyre Wear: The circuit is majorly right-handed with heavy breaking zones, thus causing ‘graining’ on the front left tyre. Drivers will have to work on tyre preservation at heavy braking zones.
Very Low Grip: Extreme wearing on the left tyres inevitably reduces grip during right turns, thus causing drivers to exceed track limits. Any driver chasing the fastest lap will be really interesting to watch on this track.
WHAT CONSTRUCTORS NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR:
High Downforce, High Drag: The Portimão circuit has a lot variation in elevation throughout the track, thus increasing the need for extra downforce on the car. However, it will increase drag and in turn the straight-line speed of the car. But that works out beautifully as there is only 1 straight in the entire lap.
Race Strategy: The design of this track and the lack of grip makes it extremely difficult for drivers to make overtaking moves. The race will be a beautiful blend of driving acumen and tactical thinking by the race strategist.
FRONT RUNNERS:
QUALIFYING RESULTS: (STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES)
Q1 Results:
P16: Kimi RÄIKKÖNEN
P17: Antonio GIOVINAZZI
P18: Romain GROSJEAN
P19: KevinMAGNUSSEN
P20: NicholasLATIFI
Q2 Results:
Daniel Ricciardo slides off onto the gravel trying to overtake his teammate, narrowly makes it through Q2 at P10.
So far it is a Mercedes front row lockout as Red Bull struggles for grip on softs.
P11: Esteban OCON
P12: Lance STROLL
P13: Daniil KVYAT
P14: George RUSSELL
P15: Sebastian VETTEL
Q3 Results:
Lewis Hamilton grabs pole for the 97th time, with a gap of 0.102 secs in a sensational flying lap, snatching it from his team mate Valtteri Bottas who was the fastest throughout FP1-FP3 and Q1-Q2!
Leclerc does a stunning job in a difficult car and puts himself at P4 ahead of Perez
P1: Lewis Hamilton
P2: Valtteri BOTTAS
P3: Max VERSTAPPEN
P4: Charles LECLERC
P5: Sergio PEREZ
P6: Alexander ALBON
P7: Carlos SAINZ
P8: Lando NORRIS
P9: Pierre GASLY
P10: Daniel RICCIARDO
Who will grab pole at the race tomorrow? Tell us what you think in your comments below.