23:17 Ted Kravitz takes to the Mugello grid to explain more about F1’s newest venue and reflect on the track action so far ahead of Sunday’s Tuscan GP.
The Mugello circuit, full of twists and relentless high-speed turns and surrounded by gravel and grass which will leave little room for mistakes, is making its much-anticipated F1 debut today, and is already a favourite.
“It’s one of the best,” admitted Bottas. “Honestly, we should come here every year. It goes really high on my list.”
And with only practice long runs to rely on, the race is more difficult than ever to predict.
“The engineers don’t know what to expect, and it’s the same for me,” said Hamilton, who can close to within one of Michael Schumacher’s all-time win record today.
4:02 Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas took the top spots in qualifying at the Tuscan GP. Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson compares their laps around Mugello.
“We’ve got an uphill long run down to Turn One with a headwind, we’re all on soft tyres, and we don’t know how long they’ll last. We don’t know what overtaking’s going to be like, what strategy [to take] – whether it’s a one or two stop.
“I’m excited about that, and I love that it’s all unknown. I’m just going to try and prepare the best I can, watching some of these other races [feeder series F2 and F3] to make sure I deliver.”
Ferrari’s 1000th race quest and the Mugello grid stories
Seventy years after making their F1 debut in the sport’s inaugural championship season, Ferrari – an ever-present since then – are the first team to celebrate their 1000th Grand Prix.
At Mugello, a track F1’s most successful and glamorous team own, the Scuderia have marked the occasion with a darker red livery, while their hopes for a strong race have been boosted by Charles Leclerc’s form.
Leclerc will start fifth – although Sebastian Vettel will be down in 14th in the same SF1000 which, while much more comfortable than in Spa and Monza, may still be struggling in the midfield on race pace.
5:01 F1’s drivers are raving about the sport’s newest circuit – and this is why. A brilliant aerial view of Mugello’s track with Anthony Davidson.
The Racing Points will fancy taking the fight to Leclerc, as well as Daniel Ricciardo in the Renault.
Last week’s incredible race-winner Pierre Gasly, meanwhile, has a recovery job on his hands after surprisingly exiting Q1 in qualifying. The Frenchman will start today’s race down in 16th in the AlphaTauri.
Tuscan GP Provisional Grid
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
4. Alex Albon, Red Bull
5. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
6. Lance Stroll, Racing Point
7. Sergio Perez, Racing Point*
8. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
9. Carlos Sainz, McLaren
10. Esteban Ocon, Renault
11. Lando Norris, McLaren
12. Daniil Kvyat, AlphaTauri
13. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo
14. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
15. Romain Grosjean, Haas
16. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
17. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo
18. George Russell, Williams
19. Nicholas Latifi, Williams
20. Kevin Magnussen, Haas
*serving one-place grid penalty
Sourse: skysports.com
