It is hot. Very hot today in Valencia, yet unlike yesterday there precious little wind to break it up.
At approximately 31°C, tyre degradation is on the minds of many and while the Ricardo Tormo Circuit is not known for its overtaking, the faltering Pirelli’s may yet force changes of position.
Not that Conor Daly is letting that get too him. Starting from pole position, the American appears content with his situation and is keen just to “get in and drive.”
All smiles and still on a buzz from his recent exploits at Indianapolis, the ART Grand Prix man is looking in top form so far this weekend.
Daly’s ART GP teammate, Jack Harvey, is on the other hand somewhat more pensive. A 10th place starting position is not the most defiant way to start the weekend, yet an underlying confidence remains in his demeanour.
Like his American counterpart, tyres may prove to be key.
Carlos Sainz Jr is looking quite pensive as the build up to his second home race in succession hots up. The Spaniard suffered from an interrupted session yesterday, when his final stint was broken by a red flag. Indeed, Sainz Jr showed great irritation that on a circuit with so much run off area, the qualifying session ended being red flagged twice by stranded machinery…
Toward the back was the unfortunate Nick Yelloly. The Carlin man had qualified 3rd, but a floor that breached regulations meant his time was deleted – Yelloly will be starting 26th.
The Englishman believes that rather than a fitting error, the deformation came when he ran over rough kerbing. Alas, the result is the same – his eyes too are now on race two.
But that heat…
