Five things to expect from the Portuguese Grand Prix

Formula 1

Five things to expect from the Portuguese Grand Prix

F1 moves to Portimão for round three of the 2021 world championship

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 28 April 2021 15:45

First signs of a confirmed midfield order

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With a sample size of only two it is difficult to determine where each team lies in the field. We know Mercedes and Red Bull are at the top of the pyramid but the continued tightness of the midfield means the next seven teams are less obvious to place.

At the third race, however, patterns will begin to emerge. We will see if troubles experienced at either Imola or Bahrain carry through to Portimão and if qualifying pace and race pace is starting to be replicated.

A definitive order will still be at least a race or two away but at last, we should see signs of a pecking order emerging.

Williams to dust itself down and carry form across the continent?

Oh, what could have been for Williams at Imola. Still pointless since the German Grand Prix in 2019, George Russell and Nicholas Latifi both crashed out at Imola having started in promising positions.

The wind expected at Portimão could pose a problem to the team that struggled in the blustery conditions in Bahrain but after both drivers reached Q2 at Imola, there is reason to be optimistic.

It is likely Williams will do battle with Haas and Alfa Romeo across the season over eighth in the constructors' standings and, after failing to take points last time out, Russell and Latifi will be eager not to let another opportunity pass them by.

Weather conditions to cause chaos

There is an evil cocktail of cold and windy conditions in the offing for race day in Algarve.

With a high of 18 degrees centigrade and a low of 10 degrees ambient expected will give drivers a headache when it comes to tyre warm-up ahead of flying laps in qualifying and the opening laps of a grand prix.

Having seen the wind wreak havoc on each car's aerodynamics through pre-season testing and the opening weekend in Bahrain, the weekend could be anything but easy going for the usual suspects towards the front.