Brazilian Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Day one of the final race weekend of the season was a damp affair, as the infamous Interlagos rain restricted running throughout the field. Fortunately, teams did eventually venture out in both sessions, as fears of a wet Saturday or Sunday meant that track time with the wet and intermediate tyres could prove valuable. Nico Rosberg seemed to be the driver most at ease in the conditions, as he topped the timesheet in both FP1 and FP2. Mercedes look strong in the inclement conditions, but Red Bull are never far behind.

US Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

After what was an unmistakably slow start to proceedings in Austin, Friday fans were delivered two very interesting sessions. While Sebastian Vettel unsurprisingly led the way with the fastest time of the day, the star of the show was Raikkonen's able replacement, Heikki Kovalainen. The Finn quickly adapted an excellent understanding of the car and finished in a highly commendable P5 on the timesheet in FP2. Meanwhile, Daniil Kvyat put his newly acquired superlicence to good use as he made his practice debut for Toro Rosso in FP1, finishing just 0.2 seconds behind the Red Bull bound Ricciardo.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Sebastian Vettel could be difficult to beat once again this weekend, as he demonstrated fantastic short and long run performance throughout today. The newly re-crowned champion finished only P3 in the first session, yet proved his performance advantage in FP2 as he led another Red Bull 1-2 at the top of the timesheet. Lotus could prove to be Red Bull's biggest challengers this weekend, as Romain Grosjean set the pace in FP1 before Kimi Raikkonen posted impressive long run times in the second session.

Indian Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Predictably, Sebastian Vettel topped the time-sheets in both FP1 and FP2 today yet it was tyres which were top of the agenda - and it was not all about degradation. Yes, the soft tyres are proving to be a poor race tyre but Williams are making headlines following Friday once again, as Pastor Maldonado suffered a frightening recurrence of the wheel connection issues which curtailed his progress in FP2 in Japan. The team escaped the incident with another fine while the consequences could have been far more severe.

Singapore Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

As the sun set in Singapore, Formula One took to the city streets and it was business as usual for an in form Red Bull team, as Sebastian Vettel posted the fastest time of the day - an impressive 1:44.249. The time set in the second session was a full 0.6 seconds faster than teammate Webber, who in turn, finished a further 0.5 seconds clear of Nico Rosberg in P3. Moreover, Vettel's long run performance matched the grandeur of the short runs, as the German posted a long line of daunting times. The stint which Sebastian demonstrated suggested that Red Bull have the biggest advantage over the competition that they have had all season. Now, the question remains - can anyone challenge the Vettel and Red Bull dominance?

Italian Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Friday in Italy was undoubtedly a scrappy affair, as drivers looked to explore the track limits at the limit of adhesion. While the likes of Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen all suffered off track excursions, Sebastian Vettel displayed ominous pace at the head of the field. The German's personal best effort of 1:24.453 was a clear 0.6 seconds faster than his nearest challenger Mark Webber. Pre-weekend predictions of Red Bull domination have not been quelled following the dominant short and long run pace exhibited by the triple World Champion.

Hungarian Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

The tenth round of the season got underway in scintillating style this morning, with teams embarking on packed schedules as they looked to examine the latest incarnations of Pirelli tyres. Consequently, teams and fans learnt a lot from both FP1 and FP2, with the most poignant discovery being the sheer dominance of the RB9. While the Hungaroring is a circuit which typically plays to Red Bull's strengths, both Vettel and Webber showed outstanding long and short run performance, sending out an ominous message to their rivals. Lotus appear to be the only team who can hold a candle to Red Bull this weekend. 

German Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Friday practice was overshadowed by the initial threats of a driver boycott if tyre failures recurred this weekend. Fortunately, Pirelli have emerged from Friday unscathed with FP1 and FP2 free of dramas. Sebastian Vettel ended the day fastest, yet it was Mark Webber who appeared to have the best race pace of anyone during the long runs. While fuel loads are unknown, Webber appears to have maintained his impressive form at the Nurburgring circuit; The track where he enjoyed the first win of his career in 2009. Meanwhile, Mercedes seem to have lost the significant advantage they had during recent short runs. The ingredients for captivating Qualifying session are all accounted for.

British Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Friday at Silverstone perfectly encapsulated the British Summer. "Flaming June" seems to be reserved for Sunday, as overcast conditions ruled the day. FP1 was a total washout and while conditions improved for FP2, drivers still had to be weary of rouge puddles which were an ever-present danger. Despite this, Nico Rosberg set the fastest time of the day, with a lap on par with last year's benchmark set in the dry FP3 session. Mercedes once again look very strong over the single lap, yet Red Bull also impressed in typical fashion. 

Canadian Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Friday was a day which encapsulated Montreal's weather patterns. As teams focused on the skies more than the track itself, scheduling the FP1 and FP2 running was especially difficult. A rain effected FP1, was followed by a reprieve, with a dry FP2 session, (despite fears of another downpour late on). Fernando Alonso claims the accolade as fastest man of the day, posting a 1:14.818 on the super-soft compound. However, Mercedes still appear to be the dominant force over a single lap.

Monaco Grand Prix: Thursday Analysis

As Formula One made its poignant arrival to the streets of Monte-Carlo, Nico Rosberg once again underlined Mercedes spectacular single lap performance by topping both the FP1 and FP2 sessions. Lewis Hamilton reiterated the strengths of the W04, maintaining within close proximity of his teammate throughout the day. What remains a mystery however, is Red Bull. While the team are famous for sandbagging in the early stages of a weekend, both Vettel and Webber visibly struggled throughout today, which raises question marks regarding the overall speed of the RB9.

Spanish Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

After a lengthy breather, the teams returned to track action this morning, as Formula One returned to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix. An unpredictable FP1 session was typified by an early rain shower, as Ferrari finished 1-2 as the circuit began to dry out. Fortunately, the classic Barcelona sunshine returned during FP2, and it was Sebastian Vettel who topped the timesheet. With what seems to be a Vettel, Alonso battle on the cards, we now eagerly anticipate what could be an enthralling Saturday afternoon.

Bahrain Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Ahead of this weekend, many pundits and analysts, including myself, believed that Lotus would be the standout performers in Bahrain. Following their Friday running, few people would retract their predictions, as Lotus impressed with spectacular long run pace. Moreover, Raikkonen also displayed fantastic qualifying pace, claiming the top spot on the FP2 timesheet. It was an ominous display from a Lotus team who threaten to dominate this weekend.

Chinese Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

The Chinese Grand Prix weekend begun slowly today, with activity in FP1 significantly limited by the green circuit. This was compounded by the fact that the soft compound tyre appears to have a similar drop off rate as the medium tyre did during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend. Subsequently, tyre conservation was the order of the day. Nevertheless, the FP1 and FP2 sessions answered several questions, with Mercedes proving to be the surprise of the field. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Felipe Massa also appeared to have very good long and short run pace. It is certainly finely poised heading into tomorrow's Qualifying.