Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Round 4

  • Round 4- Imola Sprint

    Round 4- Imola Sprint

    The first sprint race of the season is complete and what a race it was! Max Verstappen beat Charles Leclerc to the checkered flag. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing as Charles got the better start and led for 19 laps.

    With the top 8 now scoring points in the sprint, we wasn’t sure if there would be much on track action, but it is safe to say we were not disappointed.

    The top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Leclerc, P3: Perez, P4: Sainz, P5: Norris, P6: Ricciardo, P7: Bottas, P8: Magnussen, P9: Alonso and P10: Schumacher.

    First up, Mr Zhou Guanyu was our only DNF, he made contact with Pierre Gasly which saw Zhou go off at Turn 9. Pierre also picked up damage and needed to pit for a new front wing and tyres. Zhou will be starting from the pitlane as his pitcrew needed to work on the car during parc fermme conditions.

    Both Perez and Sainz had a lot of making up to do before the Sprint even started and I think its safe to say that they both put in the work to do damage limitation in the sprint, ready for the main event tomorrow.

    Yuki was the saving grace for Alpha Tauri as he made up 4 places, giving him that advantage tomorrow for the race.

    Disappointing sprint for the king of sprint, Alonso. He lost 4 positions during the sprint and that may be to his tyres not heating up enough and he was just a sitting duck. Hopefully we see more from him tomorrow.

    Predictions-

    Top five for tomorrows race is- P1: Leclerc, P2: Verstappen, P3: Sainz, P4: Norris, and P5: Ricciardo.

    Now, seeing as Mick has the perfect opportunity to score points as he starts in the top 10, I am hoping this happens. It does look like he is comfortable in the car on this track so lets hope he can do it.

    A possible chance for points for Russell, Tsunoda and Vettel. There could be a chance of rain tomorrow so that could shake up the order quite some what and then that would give the 3 drivers I just mentioned to move up a few spots.

    Times for tomorrow-

    Feature Race F3- 7:50am (BST)
    Feature Race F2- 9:20am (BST)
    F1 Race- 14:00pm (BST).

  • Round 4- Imola Qualifying

    Round 4- Imola Qualifying

    A very mixed qualifying is now complete from a dry track to a red flag and then a wet track. Safe to say the Imola cat will be keeping dry in paddock.

    But with his first pole position of the year for the current world champion, Max Verstappen!

    The full top 10 are: P1: Verstappen, P2: Leclerc, P3: Norris, P4: Magnussen, P5: Alonso, P6: Ricciardo, P7: Perez, P8: Bottas, P9: Vettel and P10: Sainz.

    Not a good day for the home heros, both Alpha Tauri’s out in Q1 as they couldn’t manage to get through the next stage of qualifying. Lots of work for them to do in the sprint and the race if they want to score some points this weekend.

    Due to a red flag in Q2, caused by Carlos Sainz, the running stopped in qualifying completely even after the red flag went as the rain started to come down and the drivers had already set some laps so none of them were going to change.

    Mercedes did not have a good qualifying, you could put it down to Carlos’ crash as well as they are just having problems with the car also. Both drivers out in Q2 the first time a Mercedes car hasn’t been in Q3 since Japan 2012

    Williams having more and more problems as the weekends go on, this time for Albon as his breaks set a light whilst in Q1 and cause a stop to the session as there were debris from the brakes being on fire.

    A total of 5 red flags throughout qualifying. A lot for teams to work on. Disappointing that Perez could’ve been higher up and benefit on the fact that Ferrari only have one car at the top.

    A good showing from McLaren, hopefully we see some more good work from the pair throughout the rest of the weekend as well as Haas’ Kevin Magnussen!

    Predictions-

    My top 5 for the sprint is- P1: Verstappen, P2: Leclerc, P3: Norris, P4: Alonso and P5: Magnussen.

    If it is a dry sprint tomorrow, like expected then I can’t really see much happening. A couple of positions switch around in the top 10 but nothing major unless it’s mechanical issues…

    Times for tomorrow-

    Free Practice 2 F1- 11:30am – 12:30pm (BST)
    Sprint Race F1- 15:30pm – 16:30pm (BST)

  • Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

    We are back this weekend racing not just Formula 1 but Formula 2 and 3 also! We are now in Italy for the return of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Sprint returns this weekend also, for the first time in 2022.

    Its both Ferrari and Alpha Tauri home race this weekend, can the teams provide a good weekend? Will Max have more reliability issues? Or will he conquer through? Carlos retired last race, can he get back on the podium on Sunday?

    Could we see a wet qualifying? It’s definitely looking that way and a possibility of some rain across the weekend also. This could shake the order up quite a bit!

    Who needs a good weekend?

    Red Bull, or more likely Max. 2 DNF’s in 3 races isn’t a good start for defending his title. I know it isn’t his fault as they were things to do with the car and not himself but he will be wanting this weekend to go as smoothly as possible.

    Aston Martin will be wanting a good weekend especially Seb, he DNF’ed in Australia and will be wanting to get through the whole Grand Prix this weekend.

    Carlos will also be wanting a good weekend also, he has had a good start to the season apart from the DNF in Aus, but with his new contract being announced this week he will be wanting to perform even more than before.

    Predictions for qualifying-

    My top 5 are- Pole: Leclerc, P2: Verstappen, P3: Perez, P4: Sainz and P5: Hamilton. Apparently Red Bull are bringing upgrades this weekend, if they work well the fight could be on between both RB and Ferrari.

    A part of me don’t want to count out Russell, we all saw what he could do in qualifying when it was raining and at the moment its predicted to rain whilst quali is going on, so we could see a masterclass from him again.

    Hopefully we see at least one Haas in Q3, would be nice to see both in there as well as the McLaren’s. Lando likes driving in the wet as we all saw last year, so it may help him get further up the grid for the sprint on Saturday.

    Times for the weekend-

    Friday 22nd-

    • Free Practice F3- 8:55am – 9:40am (BST)
    • Free Practice F2- 10:05am – 10:50am (BST)
    • Free Practice 1 F1- 12:30pm – 13:30pm (BST)
    • Qualifying F3- 14:00pm – 14:30pm (BST)
    • Qualifying F2- 14:55pm – 15:25pm (BST)
    • Qualifying F1- 16:00pm – 17:00pm (BST).

    Saturday 23rd-

    • Sprint Race F3- 9:35am – 10:15am (BST)
    • Free Practice 2 F1- 11:30am – 12:30pm (BST)
    • Sprint Race F1- 15:30pm – 16:30pm (BST)
    • Sprint Race F2- 16:55pm – 17:40pm (BST).

    Sunday 24th-

    • Feature Race F3- 7:50am (BST)
    • Feature Race F2- 9:20am (BST)
    • F1 Race- 14:00pm (BST).
  • Round 4- Rome E-Prix

    Round 4- Rome E-Prix

    Round 4 of the Formula E season has took place today, so lets take a look at how it is gone.

    FP1-

    Championship leader, Edoardo Mortara led the way in the first practice session with a time of 1m 40.022s, whilst Jaguar’s Mitch Evans came close behind in second followed by reigning champion, Nyck de Vries in third.

    All 22 cars made it out for the session, while Nick Cassidy spent time in the pits after only competing two laps with a suspected driveshaft issue, the Brit made it out towards the end to complete 6 laps in total.

    With the cool morning temperatures impacting breaking, a lockup from Jake Dennis saw the Brit avoid a narrow miss through the chicane. With seconds to go, Rowland suffered damage after contact was made with Jean-Eric Vergne, sent him into the wall on the chicane through Turns 12 and 13.

    The top 10 were: P1: Mortara, P2: Evans, P3: de Vries, P4: Da Costa, P5: Frijns, P6: Vandoorne, P7: Lotterer, P8: Sims, P9: Bird, P10: Sette Camara.

    FP2-

    The DS Techeetah and former Rome winner, Jean-Eric Vergne topped the timesheets in the final practice ahead of qualifying with a 1m 39.082s. Ahead of Pascal Wehrlein in second and Sam Bird who went third fastest.

    More problems for Mahindra’s Oliver Rowland, as he wrestled with his car sliding through Turns 12 and 13- the same spot he crashed earlier on. That same chicane stopped the running of Andre Lotterer as he clipped the inside of Turn 13 causing him to stop on track before a red flag came out.

    The top 10 were: P1: Vergne, P2: Wehrlein, P3: Bird, P4: Dennis, P5: de Vries, P6: Evans, P7: Da Costa, P8: Mortara, P9: Vandoorne and P10: Frijns.

    Qualifying-

    Stoffel Vandoorne claimed his 7th Formula E pole, as he lined up against Robin Frijns. Heading down in Turn 3, Frijns lost time in the final, handing the lead to the Mercedes-EQ driver. Despite his best effort to catch him, Frijns failed to make up for lost time.

    The pole marks Mercedes-EQ third Pole in four rounds, as the Mercedes power train continues to prove its dominance in the electric series. Could Stoffel turn the pole into a win? He already has a win here in the Eternal City last year, so it could very much be possible.

    The top 10 are: P1: Vandoorne, P2: Frijns, P3: de Vries, P4: Da Costa, P5: Vergne, P6: Dennis, P7: Wehrlein, P8: Lotterer, P9: Evans and P10: Rowland.

    Round 4-

    Jaguar TCS Racing, Mitch Evans takes victory on the streets of Rome for the second time in his career. Evans dominated, pulling away from the field to lead Envision’s Robin Frijns in 2nd and Mercedes EQ’s Stoffel Vandoorne in third.

    Despite starting on pole, Vandoorne let his lead slip on the streets, giving way to a determined Mitch who stormed to victory after starting ninth. For the reigning champ, it wasn’t all good though, the Mercedes driver failed to finish the race, retiring after slowing on track and slipping down the order.

    Home here, Antonio Giovinazzi, finished 18th after a steady race at the back of the grid- still adjusting to the challenging nature of driving on street circuits, Giovinazzi will be looking to make more of an impact in tomorrows race.

    Nudged from behind early on in the race, Edoardo Mortara behind, Oliver Rowland hit the barrier on Turn 7, with the cars behind being backed up. Shortly after this, Max Guenther crashed into the barrier on Turn 11- the safety car was brought out whilst his car was recovered.

    Times for tomorrow-

    Free Practice 3: 07:30am – 08:00am (BST), Qualifying: 09:40am – 10:55am (BST), Round 5: 14:00pm – 15:00pm (BST).

  • A look into Rome

    Formula E is back this weekend and we are in Rome for Round 4 and 5 after a two month break! It’s also Antonio Giovinazzi’s home race too.

    Last time we were in Rome, Jean-Eric Vergne (DS TECHEETAH), picked his moments perfectly to drive from fifth to victory in the opening race of the Rome E-Prix double-header last season.

    We have had 3 different winners, in the past 3 rounds, will we see a 4th different winner or will one of our 3 be victorious again? Mortara sits at the top of the standings with 43 points, Nyck de Vries in second with 38 and Wehrlein in 3rd with 30.

    The Teams battle is very close with ROKiT Venturi Racing claiming the top spot with 68 points, Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team with 66 points and TAG Heuer Porsche has 60. There is then quite a big gap down to 4th is DS Techeetah with 39 points and Envision Racing with 39 and then Avalanche Andretti 3 points behind them.

    Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR-

    As one of the longest tracks on the calendar, the Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR races around the Obelisco di Marconi, against the backdrop of the iconic Colosseo Quadrato.

    The Rome circuit features plenty of challenges for the drivers with undulations, lots of elevation changes, uneven surface and that jump – it’s a technically and fast track with long straights and a host of passing opportunities in the Eternal City.

    The fastest lap of the circuit goes to Stoffel Vandoorne, Mercedes-EQ (2021)- 1:41.820.

    Past Winners:

    • 2018, Sam Bird
    • 2019, Mitch Evans
    • 2021, Jean-Eric Vergne
    • 2021, Stoffel Vandoorne.
    Rome E-prix track map

    Times-

    Saturday 9th-

    Free Practice 1: 06:15am – 06:45am (BST), Free Practice 2: 08:00am – 08:45am (BST), Qualifying: 09:40am – 10:55am (BST), Round 4: 14:00pm – 15:00pm (BST).

    Sunday 10th-

    Free Practice 3: 07:30am – 08:00am (BST), Qualifying: 09:40am – 10:55am (BST), Round 5: 14:00pm – 15:00pm (BST).