Verstappen’s mistake on his first Q3 lap deprived him of pole though it may have been difficult to hold Hamilton off anyway with the kind of mood he was in on Sunday in Portugal, but overtaking at the Circuit de Catalunya Barcelona is only going to make qualifying even more important this time.
If Red Bull’s star can get his lap together and battle track limits successfully this time, a pole could turn into victory unless Mercedes can show the same kind of speed during the race as it did in Portugal.
If not then Verstappen is fully capable of dictating the pace out in front, taking good enough care of the tyres and seeing off the threat from behind.
However, all of that could go out of the window if late-afternoon rain materialises. Currently, there is a 40-60% chance of rain that will increase as Sunday wears on.
2021 Spanish Grand Prix session times
Friday
Free Practice 1: 11:30 – 12:30
Free Practice 2: 14:00 – 15:00
Saturday
Free Practice 3: 11:00 – 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 – 15:00
Sunday
Race: 14:00 – 16:00