First let’s analyze 1st and 2nd place in pole: Verstappen (VER) and Leclerc (LEC)

• Red Bull seems to have a great traction during acceleration, and VER takes advantage at every turn. We see that he is able to accelerate more quickly than LEC can do
• Nevertheless, the actual speed is quite close and they can have a very similar performance as top speed. 
• LEC is able to close the gap only breaking closer to turn limit, giving him the possibility to stay close to VER as performance. This driving style is giving him a less clean turn, that can partially be a point on the acceleration period, and it could end to be a weak point on tires.
• Turn 10 and 13 and showing the points above quite clearly
• On Turn 2 Red Bull is giving a show to his ability to be efficient on traction, keeping the car in trajectory while having a higher opportunity to throttle compared to Ferrari.
• On turn 5/6/7 performed at full speed Ferrari is able to grant a good driving to LEC, that can be gentler with brakes and grant higher speed in this sector, closing completely the gained by VER with acceleration.
• The data from DRS are showing exactly the different driving style of the 2 cars/pilot. VER is able to open the rear wing earlier due to the great acceleration performances, while LEC keep it open after VER closed it gaining on the turn approach by delaying the point to brake.
• On turn 13 we can see in full the negative aspect of LEC driving style. LEC as usual braked at last moment to try use the full speed, but maybe too late, creating a more consistent speed drop to complete the turn, and a result he could accelerate later from a lower speed compared to VER, losing more time.

First let’s analyze 1st and last place in pole: Verstappen (VER) and Gasly (GAS)

• There’s no chance for GAS, he is always losing time from VER. The more interesting point is Turn1.

On this Turn VER is losing not only from LEC but also from GAS. This can be due to a completely different approach to that turn from VER compared to other drivers. He choses to brake earlier, but to prepare better the turn and exit with a far better acceleration from the turn. This seems to be very positive also on the following turn2, where he has different speed from the other, creating a solid base for a gap to put pressure on the other drivers

• GAS seems to have less power in the power unit never reaching the same speed as VER, but at the very end, maybe thanks to a late braking.
• If LEC and Ferrari were able to control this late brake point, on each turn GAS needs an extra time and speed reduction to complete the turn
• GAS is always using a gear lower than VER, and this match perfectly with the speed trace
• Lower speed and a later acceleration point are giving the 2s at the end of the lap. No way he can compete for a good result
• It would be of interest to know the tire, as the performance can reflect a harder tire used by GAS, maybe looking to the race and tire wearing managed by his car. Nevertheless, its attempt to keep pushing very close to the turn can be not so good for strategy to use hard tires to reduce wearing or staying out longer.
• On Turn 11-12 we can see the complete difference in stability during full speed turn of the 2 cars: GAS needs to stop from accelerate to keep the line, close the turn and be ready for change of direction.

*Image by Freepik