The Portugese Grand Prix promises to be another classic in a string of tightly-fought battles to begin this season. So far, it's been a war of equal footing. But with news of the calendar constantly morphing, it's key to lay down the gauntlet early.
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Let's start at the front, where things are sure to get tricky:
Bottas and Hamilton are yet to share the front-row together this season. Along with that comes the expectation of rust. While Bottas' championship aspirations haven't matched his performances so far, the possibility of playing spoiler to a distracted Verstappen and Hamilton has no-doubt crossed his ming. With that in mind, the possibility for over-eagerness is quite high. Hamilton starts well, but on the slick surface of Portimao the best way around is often behind, not adjacent, to other vehicles. The best way forwards for Mercedes is a programmed block of Verstappen.
Towards the middle, it'll be curious if...
Norris can catch up to Sainz. Since swapping Papaya for Crimson, Sainz and Norris have been on different playing fields. More often than not, it's been Norris playing the lead. Now the positions have swapped, Norris' objectives stand directly in opposition to Sainz. Leclerc will be a nightmare to pass, but once that's out of the way, the on-track rivalry of two off-track amigos could consequently cause controversy.
This has to be the race for...
Williams. P11 is the best they've qualified since their decent towards the basement of F1's grid. Russell's exposure to these sort of high-pressure situations should imprint in his mind that in order to finish in the points, you must finish. With no immediately dangerous competitors in his near midst, the only responsible party for a non-points finish must be outside the track. If Russell drives his usual best, Williams will hit a major milestone on the road to recovery.
Let's take a moment to remember...
The Daniel Ricciardo of old. It's admittedly a season too early to write him off, but in the absence of his usual greatness, there's a real concern that the post-Red Bull syndrome could be catching on. Luck and pace are joined at the hip, and so far he's enjoyed little of both. The inevitable climb will do well for him optically. But no driver is immune to critiques.
