Hamilton so dominant in Spanish GP practice, pole must follow
Published:British driver Lewis Hamilton was a cut-above the rest in both Friday practice sessions at the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing a full four-tenths of a second ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and nearly a full second in front of Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull.
Such an imperious showing from Hamilton at the Catalunya circuit in Barcelona makes the Brit one of the most attractive odds-on bets of the sporting weekend at 2/7, to claim a fourth pole position of the opening five races of the new F1 season.
Having flown around the Barcelona track as if his Mercedes was glued to the tarmac, it seems like only an adverse event can prevent the Briton from starting from the front of the grid for Sunday’s race.
As the other cars’ lap times from practice suggest, only his Mercedes teammate Rosberg looks to have any real chance of pipping Hammy into pole position at 11/4, as the German did in China.
Impressive Red Bull rookie Ricciardo continued his brilliant start for his new team by going third fastest, though the gulf in speed to the Mercedes ensures he is a 20/1 shot for a maiden Formula One pole.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel’s torrid start to his title defence in 2014 hit fresh trouble as an electrical fault saw his Red Bull stranded on only the fourth lap of the first session, ensuring the German took no further part.
Home favourite Fernando Alonso, who won for the second time in Barcelona last season and always seems to excel on Spanish soil, was fourth fastest, but barring a miracle in the Ferrari garage will not be on the front of the grid at 50/1.
Unsurprisingly, Hamilton has been installed as the 1/3 race favourite ahead of the weekend.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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