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F1 LIVE | Qualifying for the Portuguese GP - Can Max Verstappen beat Mercedes?
The teams and drivers are preparing for the first qualifying session on the Portimao circuit in the Algarve ahead of Sunday's Portuguese Grand Prix. How fast can the cars really go around here and who is the fastest? Mercedes or Red Bull Racing? Follow the liveblog below to find out!
Liveblog
Grip increases per lap
Just like on many other circuits, the Portimao circuit hasn't been used much in the past year. In that period, the track has been resurfaced and is therefore extra "green". During free practice, the drivers complained a lot about a lack of grip.
That will be a little better during qualifying, with the track getting better with every lap driven. The timing for driving the perfect lap is crucial and the risk of a spin or a trip in the gravel remains high.
Track limits change
The FIA ​​decided for this weekend in Portugal to tighten the guidelines regarding "track limits". Within these new guidelines, the drivers had to stay within the white lines of the track with all four wheels. This turned out to be a big problem during the free practice sessions on Friday.
The stewards deleted 124 lap times for exceeding the new limit in practice. Turn 1 and turn 4 were the main culprits. The FIA ​​decided to change the guidelines overnight. Now the drivers are again allowed to cross the kerbs with two wheels.
Mercedes remain favourites
Lewis Hamilton said after his victory at the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring that he is worried about Max Verstappen's speed in the Red Bull. While it is true that the RB16 is a better car with the new updates, they don't seem to be equal yet.
During the free practice sessions, it was again Mercedes that led the times' lists, with Valtteri Bottas, in particular, making an impression. Just like in Germany, the Finn quickly adapts to a new circuit and had fewer problems with the lack of grip than his teammate.