Valtteri Bottas ends Portuguese GP practice fastest as Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen collide
Max Verstappen accused Lance Stroll of being "blind" after the pair collided in an eventful second practice for the Portuguese Grand Prix.
As Valtteri Bottas completed a practice double in Portimao, Verstappen and Stroll crashed at the opening corner.
Verstappen looked to overtake Stroll at the opening right-handed bend, but his front-left tyre made contact with the right rear of the Racing Point.
In a flurry of sparks, the 130mph impact sent Stroll crashing out into the gravel, while Verstappen limped back to the pits in his wounded Red Bull.
"Is this -------guy blind?" yelled an angry Verstappen over the radio. "What the ---- is wrong with him?"
Stroll's car was returned to the Racing Point garage on a truck, with Verstappen later able to return to the track. The stewards are investigating the incident.
During an eventful session ahead of Formula One's first grand prix here at the Algarve venue, Pierre Gasly was also forced to leap from his AlphaTauri after it caught fire.
Gasly pulled over to the side of the track reporting a technical failure before flames emerged from the rear of his car.
Frenchman Gasly wasted little time jumping out of the cockpit before marshals moved to extinguish the fire.
After he drew level with Michael Schumacher's victory record at the previous round in Germany, Lewis Hamilton is bidding to become the sport's standalone most successful driver this weekend with a 92nd career win.
But it was his team-mate Bottas who topped both sessions, with Hamilton second in the first running before having to settle for only eighth later in the day.
The six-time world champion complained of a lack of grip on a track last visited by F1 during a pre-season test in 2009, and he finished 1.4 seconds behind Bottas.
Before his accident with Stroll, Verstappen clocked the second fastest time, more than half a second off the pace, with Lando Norris an impressive third for McLaren. Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari, two places ahead of his team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
George Russell, whose future at Williams is under scrutiny following the British team's recent takeover by Dorilton, finished 11th, 1.7sec behind Bottas.
03:33 PMFP2 - Classification
- BOT
- VER
- NOR
- LEC
- SAI
- VER
- GAS
- HAM
- OCO
- ALB
- RUS
- PER
- RIC
- LAT
- RAI
- MAG
- KVY
- GRO
- STR
- GIO
03:31 PMThat is it - FP2 is over
FP2 - Classification
- BOT
- VER
- NOR
- LEC
- SAI
- VER
- GAS
- HAM
- OCO
- ALB
- RUS
- PER
- RIC
- LAT
- RAI
- MAG
- KVY
- GRO
- STR
- GIO
03:31 PMThat is it - FP2 is over
That is it - FP2 is over
Bottas leads Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Hamilton seventh after a day of interrupted and stop/start running.
03:29 PMFP2 - Two minutes left
FP2 - Two minutes left
Bottas 0.595s ahead of Verstappen. But we haven't had a clean session so we cannot read too much into these times at all. Russell has a chance of ending the session in the top 10, though!
03:24 PMHere's the Stroll/Verstappen incident in video form
.@Max33Verstappen and @lance_stroll collide! 💥
The two come together at Turn 1 and Stroll is sent flying into the gravel.
📺 Live on Sky Sports F1
📱 Live on the App and Sky Go
💻 Live Blog: https://t.co/CkqLNAZAQx#SkyF1 | #F1 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/v9wTnOq1Sc
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 23, 2020
Here's the Stroll/Verstappen incident in video form
.@Max33Verstappen and @lance_stroll collide! 💥
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 23, 2020
The two come together at Turn 1 and Stroll is sent flying into the gravel.
📺 Live on Sky Sports F1
📱 Live on the App and Sky Go
💻 Live Blog: https://t.co/CkqLNAZAQx#SkyF1 | #F1 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/v9wTnOq1Sc
Make your own minds up...
03:23 PMSESSION RESTARTS
SESSION RESTARTS
Good news is that we've had very limited running on the race tyres from the teams. That could make things a little more interesting come Sunday. It's not clear in any way which tyre compound is good or bad.
03:21 PMSession to restart in one minute
Session to restart in one minute
So that will leave eight minutes or so on the clock.
03:21 PMClassification under red flag
- BOT
- VER
- LEC
- ET
- GAS
- HAM
- RUS
- ALB
- NOR
- PER
- OCO
- SAI
- LAT
- RAI
- MAG
- KVY
- GRO
- STR
- GIO
- RIC
03:20 PMThis won't be the last we hear of this
⚡️ Flashpoint ⚡️#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/FXyeclMMGt
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
Classification under red flag
- BOT
- VER
- LEC
- ET
- GAS
- HAM
- RUS
- ALB
- NOR
- PER
- OCO
- SAI
- LAT
- RAI
- MAG
- KVY
- GRO
- STR
- GIO
- RIC
03:20 PMThis won't be the last we hear of this
⚡️ Flashpoint ⚡️#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/FXyeclMMGt
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
This won't be the last we hear of this
⚡️ Flashpoint ⚡️#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/FXyeclMMGt
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
In the previous lap Stroll had been slightly hindered by Verstappen on his prep lap and it looked like it carried over to the next lap, in so much as neither man wanted to back out.
03:17 PMShould get a frantic 10 or so minutes to end the session
We'll be restarting again soon! 👍#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/InZmcKE1I5
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
03:13 PMIt's practice, it's Friday, you don't need this nonsense
Should get a frantic 10 or so minutes to end the session
We'll be restarting again soon! 👍#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/InZmcKE1I5
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
03:13 PMIt's practice, it's Friday, you don't need this nonsense
It's practice, it's Friday, you don't need this nonsense
I think both of them can take a share of the blame. Perhaps Verstappen has the lion's share of it, though. The stewards are looking at it.
03:11 PMVerstappen on the radio, not happy
Verstappen on the radio, not happy
"Mate is this guy blind? What the --- is wrong with him? What a ----!"
Verstappen remonstrates over the radio...
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
📻 "What the ****** is wrong with him" #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/WmSl0korgi
03:10 PMFP2 - Would say the smart thing would be for Verstappen to back out of that
FP2 - Would say the smart thing would be for Verstappen to back out of that
Otmar Szafnauer is not too happy with Verstappen, speaking to Sky Sports. He says that Stroll may not have known Verstappen was there. I think he'd have seen him, though and I think Verstappen should have known better.
No sooner had we started and we've stopped again! 😮
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
Verstappen and Stroll tangle at Turn 1, Stroll spins into the gravel and we have another 🚩 Red Flag 🚩#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/hFI0gKBcfO
03:08 PMFP2 - Looks like Stroll had finished a hot lap...
FP2 - Looks like Stroll had finished a hot lap...
...whilst Verstappen was just starting his. We don't know that Stroll wasn't starting another hot lap, though, and he certainly looked committed. Racing Point say he was indeed doing another hot lap. Strange one but looks like a racing incident and could blame either.
03:06 PMFP2 - CRASH!
FP2 - CRASH!
Stroll and Verstappen crash going into turn one! Verstappen put it up the inside, Stroll turned in at high speed and assumed that Stroll was going to let him through. We have another RED FLAG.
03:05 PMWho would you want to see in those two Haas seats next year?
Who would you want to see in those two Haas seats next year?
Nico Hulkenberg and Callum Ilott would be my ideal pick but I'm not sure either of them will get it, never mind both of them. Suppose it depends on what happens at Red Bull and Alfa Romeo for the parts to fall into place.
03:01 PMSESSION RESUMES
SESSION RESUMES
Just under 30 minutes on the clock. So a stoppage of just under 15 minutes.
🚥 GREEN LIGHT 🚥
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
The session restarts with 29 minutes remaining#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/DVRGrBQZeB
02:57 PMHere's the running order while you wait
Here's the running order while you wait
Everyone but Ricciardo has set a time on the non-prototype tyres.
- BOT
- VER
- LEC
- VET
- GAS
- RUS
- ALB
- NOR
- OCO
- SAI
- LAT
- RAI
- PER
- KVY
- STR
- GIO
- RIC
- HAM
- GRO
- MAG
02:56 PMSession still red flagged while they deal with Gasly's stricken AlphaTauri
Session still red flagged while they deal with Gasly's stricken AlphaTauri
Wouldn't have thought we'll be out of action too much longer, though.
We've still got a red flag here at Portimao
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
Marshals are working as fast as they can to clear the AlphaTauri from the track 👍#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/uMerpJZHUU
02:49 PMHot hot hot
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩
Fire and smoke pour out of the rear of Pierre Gasly's car 🔥
The session is halted ❌#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/iN3iGR8Gy0
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
02:47 PMRED FLAG
Hot hot hot
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
Fire and smoke pour out of the rear of Pierre Gasly's car 🔥
The session is halted ❌#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/iN3iGR8Gy0
02:47 PMRED FLAG
RED FLAG
Gasly's AlphaTauri on fire quite badly at the rear. Black smoke now, Gasly gets out of the car pretty sharpish. The marshals cross the track to step in and extinguish the fire.
02:45 PMFP2 - Bottas moves top
FP2 - Bottas moves top
A 1.17.940s, nearly 0.9s quicker than Leclerc.
02:44 PMFP2 - Now Hamilton is on a quick lap
FP2 - Now Hamilton is on a quick lap
Three tenths up in sector one, but he's impeded by traffic and abandons the lap... again. Meanwhile, Leclerc goes quickest by two tenths ahead of Verstappen.
02:43 PMFP2 - Hamilton winding it up for a hot lap
FP2 - Hamilton winding it up for a hot lap
Or is he? Nope. He abandons what looked like a hot lap. Gasly now 0.003s slower than Vettel. Yellow flags out now for Kvyat, who spins again in the final sector. Verstappen now quickest by 0.142s.
02:41 PMFP2 - Think Albon had his lap deleted there
FP2 - Think Albon had his lap deleted there
As he's slipped back down to P14, 3.5s away. Russell improves with another lap to go within 0.647s of Vettel. Gasly second at the moment, 0.022s off Vettel. All on the medium compound tyres. Wonder if Ferrari could have a good weekend here. There are hints...
02:37 PMFP2 - Russell goes quickest!
FP2 - Russell goes quickest!
Well, momentarily, as we enter the first meaningful runs of the session on the marked Pirelli tyres. He's soon bettered by Vettel, by nearly 0.9s. And then Albon by a similar margin.
02:34 PMFP2 - Quite a lot of track limits breaches today
FP2 - Quite a lot of track limits breaches today
65 in total in FP1 and Romain Grosjean is warned about going over the limit there in turn one. He says it's "impossible" to do it there. It's not.
📻 Romain reports an increase in wind speed from this morning is making handling tricker at certain corners this afternoon. #HaasF1 #PortugueseGP #FP2 pic.twitter.com/4DwPXWHtS8
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) October 23, 2020
02:30 PMFP2 - Right, that's the mandatory tyre testing done
FP2 - Right, that's the mandatory tyre testing done
So we're onto some proper running for the final hour.
02:26 PMFP2 - Hamilton cuts short his run on these prototype tyres
FP2 - Hamilton cuts short his run on these prototype tyres
Complaining of vibrations. He's down in fifth at the moment.
02:22 PMFP2 - Leclerc goes up to second
FP2 - Leclerc goes up to second
0.381s away from Bottas's quickest time. Whatever the tyres, the Ferrari in the hands of Leclerc is looking quite decent.
02:14 PMFP2 - Here's the current order
- BOT
- VER
- HAM
- LEC
- SAI
- KVY
- ALB
- PER
- RIC
- RAI
- VET
- NOR
- STR
- GIO
- OCO
- GAS
- RUS
- GRO
- MAG
- LAT
02:12 PMFP2 - Grosjean through the gravel
FP2 - Here's the current order
- BOT
- VER
- HAM
- LEC
- SAI
- KVY
- ALB
- PER
- RIC
- RAI
- VET
- NOR
- STR
- GIO
- OCO
- GAS
- RUS
- GRO
- MAG
- LAT
02:12 PMFP2 - Grosjean through the gravel
FP2 - Grosjean through the gravel
Nothing too serious, however, and he continues. Verstappen up into second behind Bottas is it stands. Sergio Perez has now spun... can he get it going? Yep, he does and goes on his merry way.
02:10 PMFP2 - This first 30 minutes is almost purely for Pirelli's benefit
FP2 - This first 30 minutes is almost purely for Pirelli's benefit
For testing next year's tyres. So there's not really anything we can read into the times. Still, it's not like it's entirely valueless for the drivers and teams.
02:07 PMFP2 - Hamilton is currently quickest
FP2 - Hamilton is currently quickest
Bottas not yet out, he's the only driver not to set a lap time. Everyone else on their fourth of fifth run. I doubt that means it's a problem, though.
02:06 PMFP2 - Sainz spins
FP2 - Sainz spins
Not the first and he won't be the last. Every car out on these unmarked tyres, they do not know what compound they are and will obviously be unable to gain too much information on this running regarding the actual tyres.
02:01 PMFP2 begins
FP2 begins
And out come the cars on unmarked tyres. Quite like that, actually.
01:45 PMTyre testing for the first 30 mins of the session
The opening 30 mins of #FP2 will be run using @pirellisport prototype tires for 2021.
All 10 teams will take part in the ‘blind’ test, featuring 8-10 tire variations, with all teams’ feedback helping to shape the final tires that Pirelli will provide for next season.#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/L3m4AXtH5c
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) October 23, 2020
01:43 PMFinal times after first practice
- Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1min 18.410secs
- Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:18.749
- Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:19.191
- Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:19.309
- Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:19.365
- Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:19.441
- Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:19.907
- Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:19.954
- Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:20.058
- Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:20.124
- Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:20.200
- Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:20.207
- Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:20.278
- Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:20.846
- Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:20.954
- Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:21.009
- Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:21.169
- George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:21.374
- Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 1:21.673
- Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:22.054
01:38 PMWelcome back
Tyre testing for the first 30 mins of the session
The opening 30 mins of #FP2 will be run using @pirellisport prototype tires for 2021.
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) October 23, 2020
All 10 teams will take part in the ‘blind’ test, featuring 8-10 tire variations, with all teams’ feedback helping to shape the final tires that Pirelli will provide for next season.#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/L3m4AXtH5c
01:43 PMFinal times after first practice
- Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1min 18.410secs
- Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:18.749
- Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:19.191
- Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:19.309
- Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:19.365
- Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:19.441
- Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:19.907
- Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:19.954
- Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:20.058
- Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:20.124
- Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:20.200
- Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:20.207
- Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:20.278
- Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:20.846
- Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:20.954
- Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:21.009
- Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:21.169
- George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:21.374
- Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 1:21.673
- Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:22.054
01:38 PMWelcome back
Final times after first practice
- Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1min 18.410secs
- Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:18.749
- Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:19.191
- Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:19.309
- Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:19.365
- Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:19.441
- Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:19.907
- Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:19.954
- Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:20.058
- Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:20.124
- Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:20.200
- Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:20.207
- Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:20.278
- Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:20.846
- Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:20.954
- Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:21.009
- Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:21.169
- George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:21.374
- Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 1:21.673
- Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:22.054
01:38 PMWelcome back
Welcome back
FP2 is about to begin in just over 20 minutes and hopefully we will get a good idea of where the teams are in the pecking order.
11:36 AMThat's it from me for now
That's it from me for now
I'll be back about 2.30pm for the second practice session which kicks off at 3pm.
11:33 AMFP1 - Classification
- BOT
- HAM
- VER
- LEC
- ALB
- SAI
- PER
- SAI
- RIC
- GAS
- VET
- NOR
- KVY
- MAG
- STR
- GIO
- GRO
- RUS
- OCO
- LAT
11:33 AMSpeaking of Ocon, looks like he has a problem
FP1 - Classification
- BOT
- HAM
- VER
- LEC
- ALB
- SAI
- PER
- SAI
- RIC
- GAS
- VET
- NOR
- KVY
- MAG
- STR
- GIO
- GRO
- RUS
- OCO
- LAT
11:33 AMSpeaking of Ocon, looks like he has a problem
Speaking of Ocon, looks like he has a problem
A plume of white smoke comes from the back of his motor. He's told to instantly stop and not to change gear. Not ideal.
11:31 AMFP1 ends - Valtteri Bottas quickest ahead of Hamilton
FP1 ends - Valtteri Bottas quickest ahead of Hamilton
And then Verstappen in third. As you were, then. Plenty of locking up, spinning and mid-corner instability, though.
11:31 AMFP1 - Not sure what's going on with Ocon
FP1 - Not sure what's going on with Ocon
He has done 30 laps but is currently down in P19. Ah, this will be it - he has only run on the hard tyres. That said he's not the only one and is still behind Russell, Grosjean, Giovinazzi, Albon and Leclerc who have adopted similar strategies.
11:28 AMFP1 - Someone in the wall or gravel?
FP1 - Someone in the wall or gravel?
Not quite. Kvyat brings out the yellow flags and ends up facing the wrong direction, causing a cautionary period in sector one. He gets it going and in the right direction in the end. Looks like he lost it at the lowest speed and at the apex at turn three. That has happened an awful lot today.
11:24 AMFP1 - Hamilton complains of left graining
FP1 - Hamilton complains of left graining
He's running on the medium tyres and Bottas — on a similar stint length — is having similar problems on the front. Could we be moving into the realms of a marginal two-stop race? Let's hope so...
11:21 AMFP1 - 10 minutes to go
FP1 - 10 minutes to go
As Raikkonen spins at the hairpin turn five. It looked pretty inelegant, I have to say.
11:16 AMFP1 - Order with 14 mins remaining
- BOT
- HAM
- VER
- LEC
- ALB
- SAI
- PER
- RIC
- GAS
- VET
- NOR
- KVY
- MAG
- STR
- RAI
- GRO
- GIO
- RUS
- OCO
- LAT
FP1 - Order with 14 mins remaining
- BOT
- HAM
- VER
- LEC
- ALB
- SAI
- PER
- RIC
- GAS
- VET
- NOR
- KVY
- MAG
- STR
- RAI
- GRO
- GIO
- RUS
- OCO
- LAT
Two Mercedes, two Red Bulls and a Ferrari in the top six! It's like 2018 all over again.
11:12 AMFP1 - Gasly told to box because of an issue
FP1 - Gasly told to box because of an issue
Not ideal but if you want to have an issue then 20 minutes before the end of first practice isn't the worst time.
Meanwhile, Bottas has pipped Hamilton to top spot again. This time by the slightly larger margin of 0.339s. Verstappen now up to third, 0.842s behind Bottas. That's looking a bit more like normal.
11:08 AMFP1 - Hamilton goes quickest
FP1 - Hamilton goes quickest
0.143s ahead of Bottas. Verstappen, meanwhile, is back out there on the hard tyres. He's now up to 12th, just as his team-mate Albon moves up to third. A second off the pace.
11:07 AMSpeed trap data
SPEED TRAPS (60/90 MINS)
Lance Stroll is back up to speed 🚀#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/M6HZFKsRo9
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
11:06 AMFP1 - Bottas and Stroll nearly come together in the final corner
Speed trap data
SPEED TRAPS (60/90 MINS)
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
Lance Stroll is back up to speed 🚀#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/M6HZFKsRo9
11:06 AMFP1 - Bottas and Stroll nearly come together in the final corner
FP1 - Bottas and Stroll nearly come together in the final corner
Bottas was finishing off a hot lap towards the inside, Stroll was on the outside and looked to be letting him through but no... he wasn't. It looked close from the onboard on Bottas's car but would like to see a replay of that...
Hot lappin' and gravel splashin' 🔥#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/O3tkm4FxKO
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
11:03 AMFP1 - Bottas pops up to first
FP1 - Bottas pops up to first
Just 0.035s ahead of Hamilton. Leclerc 0.162s back. I don't think this session is going to tell us too much, merely giving us a small indication of who looks okay and who is struggling.
11:00 AMFP1 - Not much running for Verstappen in the last 30 minutes or so
FP1 - Not much running for Verstappen in the last 30 minutes or so
He went out for a fair few laps early on but has only done 13 laps, the fewest of anyone so far. Down in 19th, too. I expect they're making some significant changes to his set-up. We're a few laps into the medium tyre running after an hour or so of using exclusively hard tyres.
10:57 AMFP1 - Track slipperiness update
FP1 - Track slipperiness update
Yes, still slippy. Latifi and Grosjean having some off-track moments. Hamilton still leads the way from Leclerc and Bottas.
10:53 AMA few fans about this weekend, too
A few fans about this weekend, too
Which is nice to see. The total number has been reduced but still a decent amount should be present throughout the weekend.
The squad's all here!
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
A fine selection of headwear from some of our fans in the stands, including a trio of @LewisHamilton helmets 👌#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/RnhS5avczl
10:49 AMFP1 - A bit of a lull at the moment, so here's the order
- HAM
- LEC
- BOT
- SAI
- GAS
- VET
- ALB
- PER
- NOR
- RIC
- KVY
- GRO
- STR
- MAG
- OCO
- RAI
- GIO
- LAT
- RUS
- VER
10:42 AMPlenty of this going on at the moment
Lance's tyres really said 😤
Turn 5 is proving to be a popular place to lock up, as the drivers continue to learn the circuit#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/wJO0KKvtpi
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
10:36 AMFP1 - Having said that... Leclerc now goes quickest, just 0.035s ahead of Hamilton
FP1 - A bit of a lull at the moment, so here's the order
- HAM
- LEC
- BOT
- SAI
- GAS
- VET
- ALB
- PER
- NOR
- RIC
- KVY
- GRO
- STR
- MAG
- OCO
- RAI
- GIO
- LAT
- RUS
- VER
10:42 AMPlenty of this going on at the moment
Lance's tyres really said 😤
Turn 5 is proving to be a popular place to lock up, as the drivers continue to learn the circuit#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/wJO0KKvtpi
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
10:36 AMFP1 - Having said that... Leclerc now goes quickest, just 0.035s ahead of Hamilton
Plenty of this going on at the moment
Lance's tyres really said 😤
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
Turn 5 is proving to be a popular place to lock up, as the drivers continue to learn the circuit#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/wJO0KKvtpi
10:36 AMFP1 - Having said that... Leclerc now goes quickest, just 0.035s ahead of Hamilton
FP1 - Having said that... Leclerc now goes quickest, just 0.035s ahead of Hamilton
Ferrari are, perhaps, just starting to get on top of their problems. At least until we go to a circuit that has any significantly long straights...
10:35 AMFP1 - Hamilton quickest now
FP1 - Hamilton quickest now
A 1.20.165s, 0.2s ahead of Gasly. Charles Leclerc has a spin and just dips his rear tyres into the gravel. He'll be able to get out, though, and he does just that. He's currently running third, just ahead of Vettel.
10:31 AMFP1 - Running order with one hour remaining
FP1 - Running order with one hour remaining
Leclerc has knocked Sainz off top spot.
- LEC
- BOT
- SAI
- HAM
- GAS
- GRO
- ALB
- VET
- OCO
- RAI
- MAG
- GIO
- NOR
- LAT
- RUS
- STR
- VER
- RIC
- KVY
- PER
10:25 AMFP1 - Bottas and Hamilton into second and third now
FP1 - Bottas and Hamilton into second and third now
A second or so off Sainz's time. Bottas did not look entirely at peace with the car on the lap, though, and that has been a theme of this session so far. It's a new track surface and fairly slippery.
10:23 AMFP1 - Bottas lining up the first Mercedes hot lap
FP1 - Bottas lining up the first Mercedes hot lap
I'm sure it'll be quickest by about a second or something... Hamilton also on his first hot lap but is 2.1s slower than Bottas on his first run. Maybe this won't be quickest from Bottas.
He goes third, actually, 4.742s off the pace. Guess it's going to take a while to really get up to speed. Nobody is within 2.5s of Sainz as we stand. This initial period is all about acclimatisation for the drivers and teams.
10:19 AMFP1 - Order so far
FP1 - Order so far
This will not tell you anything, as only four cars have set a time. But here we go...
- SAI 1.20.696
- VER 1.23.309
- RUS 1.28.434
- VET 1.30.462
10:18 AMHulkenberg in the house
Hulkenberg in the house
What chance of him finding a drive for 2021? Haas? Red Bull? Alfa Romeo?
Oh hey there @HulkHulkenberg! 👋 Enjoying the view?#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/htbqeKScUr
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 23, 2020
10:16 AMFP1 - Verstappen spins!
FP1 - Verstappen spins!
Nothing major, though, heading out of turn four he gets it the wrong way around, losing the back end. That will not have done wonders for his front tyres. He complains, like Sainz, that his car is like a drift car.
10:13 AMFP1 - Not sure if Sainz is testing new parts here
FP1 - Not sure if Sainz is testing new parts here
He's now on his seventh lap on the hard tyres and has gone quicker still with a 1.21.497. Only other drivers to set timed laps are Verstappen and Vettel.
10:10 AMFP1 - Sainz going around on a decent sized initial run
FP1 - Sainz going around on a decent sized initial run
Five laps so far on the hard tyres and he's quickest with a 1.22.183s. He's complaining of how little grip there is on the circuit, comparing it to Tokyo Drift.
10:05 AMFP1 - 84 minutes to go
FP1 - 84 minutes to go
A handful of cars out early for their installation laps. In fact, only Verstappen, Hamilton and Bottas have not been out so far. Sainz currently leads the way with a 1.30.401 but only he and Vettel have set a timed lap so far.
10:02 AMFP1 begins!
FP1 begins!
90 minutes to go.
10:00 AMWe're nearly ready to go
We're nearly ready to go
Think I'm looking forward to this practice session more than any other track this season.
09:50 AMCurrent constructor standings
Current constructor standings
It's not very tight at the top but it is in the middle. That third spot is hotly contested, with Renault coming into form in the past few races.
09:41 AMWhat will a lap onboard at this track be like?
What will a lap onboard at this track be like?
Well, here's one in virtual form. It gives you a decent impression, I'd say.
09:36 AMMore on Grosjean and Magnussen leaving Haas
More on Grosjean and Magnussen leaving Haas
Including reaction from both drivers and team principal Guenther Steiner. Read the whole article here.
09:33 AMWhat happened the last time F1 raced in Portugal?
What happened the last time F1 raced in Portugal?
Here's a grainy YouTube video to refresh your memory.
09:28 AMCurrent driver standings after 11 of 17 rounds, top 10
Current driver standings after 11 of 17 rounds, top 10
Only six rounds to go, the time has flown past.
08:58 AMGood morning F1 fans
Good morning F1 fans
And welcome to our coverage for practice for the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix. It's the first edition of a Formula One race in Portugal since 1996 and we see F1 on a brand new circuit for the second time in 2020. The original calendar had a few new additions — Zandvoort in Holland and the Hanoi Street Circuit in Vietnam — so it will be good to see the cars on an unfamiliar circuit and with limited running data, as was the case at Mugello. The last time F1 cars ran here was over a decade ago, so that data is unlikely to be all that useful to the teams.
The Autódromo do Algarve is an intriguing circuit with plenty of rolling corners, a couple of tighter ones and a long straight. If these current F1 cars weren't such high-downforce mega beasts then I'd say we could be in for an interesting race. As it is we might just have to settle for the majesty of them wanging their way around the ups and downs at high speed. I guess that might not be so bad?
What are the stories this weekend? Well firstly, Lewis Hamilton will be targeting his 92nd Grand Prix victory. Were he to achieve that — and let's be honest it is by far the most likely result — he will become the most successful driver in F1 history on that metric, overtaking Michael Schumacher's 91. When he scores his seventh world title this season (it's really when not if at the moment...) he will be the de facto most successful F1 driver ever. Does that make him the greatest? No, but that is another debate for another time.
Elsewhere on the grid, the long-standing partnership between Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen at Haas will be coming to an end after this season finishes, with both drivers not retained for 2021. Grosjean had been with the team since its inception in 2016 whilst Magnussen joined a year later. There was reasonable success for both drivers and the team in 2017 and 2018 but the last two years have been difficult in the extreme, especially this year.
Where will both men end up? The number of available seats for next year is quite limited, so there is a good chance but will leave the F1 grid. It wouldn't be the worst thing if Magnussen followed in his father's footsteps and going into endurance racing. What it means, though, is that those drivers without confirmed seats (Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez, Callum Ilott) could be quite keen to move to the American team for 2021.