I'm not going to waste your time with anecdotes about how the rest of the field will climb the summit to an unforeseen victory over the impenetrable Mercedes front row. However looking beyond Verstappen, a tasty mix of comparable cars presents itself for tomorrow. Of the three drivers trailing our front three, the one in front has arguably the worst car, and Stroll may have the best vehicle under his grips on a given day. Due to that and the massive potential for tire die-off in the race, look for Leclerc to hold on for dear life, and for Stroll/Hulk to run up the field looking for a potentially constructors' championship-deciding points pay out.
P8 Ricciardo vs. P9 Ocon (vs. P10 Vettel)
Renault these days seem in a world of their own. Conclusively faster than AlphaTauri, but no-doubt slower than Ferrari or Racing Point, their two heroes at the helm have only each other to scrap with to advance in the driver's championship tomorrow. Though, both drivers come in with a reputation for fiesty driving. (One more than the other). In the absence of a challenge from the front, and no other teams but Vettel challenging from the back, look for the team-orderless French squad to fight it out for the duration of this race. Finally, if you are a fan of contact and conflict (and well, who isn't!) Vettel's P10 starting position offers the most spark for a potential flame. Charging up a congested pack in a high-speed, low-forgiveness arena only leads to one outcome for Vettel. Watch this space.
P11 Gasly vs. P12 Albon
Oh boy. If you're a fan of the internet (and well, who isn!... ok you get the picture) You'll no doubt be scanning the timing board for Alb and Gas tomorrow. The eternal rivals since Gasly dropped into Alex's former seat find themselves switched for tomorrow's race. Gasly was ridiculed for finishing below then Toro Rosso drivers during his short stint at the premier bulls squad, and Albon will not escape such a fate for long if he continues to underperform at the wrong moments. Good luck to both of them, and especially Albon if his position does not improve for tomorrow.
P14 Kevin Magnussen vs. P16 Kimi Raikkonen vs. P20 George Russell
What?! How can this be. three drivers separated by 6 places and out of the points? Well, if you are a supporter of these teams, or find yourself dosing off at any point in the race, watch this chase for some best-of-the-rest action. Magnussen sits prime and ready to scoop up any points if just 4 out of the 13 drivers above him experience issues. These points are critical for Alfa and Williams to reach higher standings in the constructors' championship than a limping Haas team. No one said F1 was always glitz and glamour!
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