Formula One: Portuguese Grand Prix practice one predictions and free tip

Free tips, best bets and analysis for practice at the Portuguese F1 Grand Prix in Portimao in Portugal on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 11am Friday

Best bet

V Bottas fastest in P1
1pt 11-10 general

Preview

Lewis Hamilton stands on the brink of F1 history this week as the first Portuguese Grand Prix since 1996 is run at the Portimao circuit.

After drawing level with Michael Schumacher in the record books by winning his 91st race at the Nurburgring last time out, Hamilton can go clear on his own at the top of the list and he is 1-2 favourite for Sunday's race.

Hamilton has won seven of this year's 11 events but in recent weeks the pattern has been for him to gather pace throughout the weekend.

The world champion is not even favourite to go fastest in the opening practice session as his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas is the 11-10 market leader with Hamilton an 11-8 chance.

That is no surprise given that the Finn has topped the times at the last six P1 sessions to take place - the first two scheduled practices at the Nurburgring were washed out.

Relatively slow starts to the weekend have not hampered Hamilton when it matters though as he has taken pole at eight of the 11 races and won seven of them.

Portimao, which has held GP2, sports car and motorbike events as well as operating as an F1 test track, should provide a refreshing change with its extreme elevation changes and a number of blind corner entries.

Hamilton, Lando Norris, George Russell and Nicholas Latifi are the only drivers in the field to have piloted an F1 car around the track, but others have raced there in other series.

It was noticeable that Bottas got to grips with the new track at Mugello quicker than Hamilton last month, leading all three practices, but the world champion was back in command for qualifying and the race.

Red Bull are likely to throw down a challenge Mercedes for the rest of the season, as the top team have already switched their focus to their 2021 cars.

The Friday washout meant they didn't see the full benefits of their aerodynamic upgrades at the Nurburgring and if they are seen to better effect this week Max Verstappen should be a real contender for the race victory.

Lance Stroll is set to return for Racing Point having missed the last race and tested positive for Covid-19.

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