F1 Portuguese Grand Prix qualifying prediction, free F1 betting tip

Free F1 tips, best bets and analysis for the Portuguese Grand Prix qualifying session from Portimao

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Lando Norris fastest qualifier
0.5pt each-way 50-1 bet365

Preview

F1 2021 is developing into a duel between seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s young star Max Verstappen and it’s hard to choose between the two in Saturday’s Portuguese Grand Prix qualifying session.

Hamilton set the fastest time in Friday afternoon's running – the first time he has done so in seven practice sessions this season.

However, one second covered the top 12 drivers in that hour, and Verstappen was just a tenth of a second off the Mercedes driver.

The pair have a pole position each after the first two races of the season, but only after a scruffy lap stopped Verstappen from making it two out of two at Imola last time.

Bookmakers give Verstappen a narrow nod, but Hamilton, seeking his 100th career pole, can’t be counted out.

Red Bull have had the edge in terms of raw pace at the first two races, but Mercedes seemed to have made a step forward last time and could have done so again.

Tyre management was an issue for all the drivers at Portimao last year, when the track had just been resurfaced, but six months on it remains a challenge.

Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas topped the morning session, but his soft tyres took several laps to reach optimum temperature.

That gives the potential for a surprise or two in qualifying.

Rather than choose between the big two in the pole position battle, chance a small each-way bet on Lando Norris.

The McLaren driver was in midfield during practice, but that had also been the case at Imola before he got involved in the battle for pole position on Saturday.

McLaren have made a bright start to the season, with Norris finishing fourth and third in the first two races, and Carlos Sainz led the early stages in Portugal last year for the team.

Only two places are paid out for qualifying bets, but at 50-1 Norris is worth an interest.

Ferrari showed up well in practice, but that was also the case at Imola, where they were unable to live up to the promise in qualifying.

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