It's unclear if we're being drawn into having a false sense of security, but we definitely have that feeling.

While Friday's two sessions witnessed 207 track limits violations, FP3 saw just 41 and qualifying a somewhat pathetic 8. So it is clear that drivers can keep it on the black stuff if the really need to.

Indeed, in qualifying, 'King of the Violators' Kimi didn't once cross the line, while Verstappen, Hadjar and Norris all strayed over once, and Bortoleto twice.

While the media is in overdrive in terms of Antonelli securing the title the odds are very much against him, and while securing pole was a major step in the right direction, the fact is that the Italian has little say in matters, for it is down to his rivals to lose the title.

Chief among these, of course, is teammate Russell, who is 102 points adrift, with 150 points up for grabs. It is mathematically possible for Hamilton also, even Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris, but this would essentially mean winning all the remaining races and hoping that Antonelli suffers a string of DNFs.

With 340 points from 17 races - and 6 Sprints - the fact is that the youngster has the numbers. And the talent.

Over the years this track has given us some great races, while the infamous Turn 1 has regularly thrown a spanner in the works, witnessing more than a few drivers come to grief.

We still believe that track limits are going to be an issue, as will the wind and the infamous bumps, especially as drivers push ever harder.

Much will depend on Turn 1 today, and Verstappen will be looking to teammate Hadjar to ride shotgun, which would be bad news for Russell who starts sixth.

After all the promise of the free practice sessions, Ferrari fell apart when it really mattered, while McLaren appears to be at sixes and sevens and without a clue why.

In fact, other than the Antonelli/Verstappen fight today, the ones to watch will be the RBs as they battle Hulkenberg and Gasly.

There is little for the 'home team' that is Cadillac to celebrate, likewise Williams, which has all but given up on 2026 and is now looking to the future.

Four drivers have grid penalties. Colapinto drops 10 places as an additional power unit element has been used, likewise Bortoleto (80 places), Lindblad (5) and Stroll, who will start from the pitlane as changes were made under parc ferme conditions and additional power unit elements have been used.

This promotes Alonso to 12th on the grid, and though the Spaniard will give it 100%, as ever, he is limited by the package he has been given.

Much like Williams 50th Anniversary in 2027, Honda's 500th Grand Prix is little cause to put out the bunting and get the Champagne out of the fridge.

Yesterday's practice session provided indications consistent with those that emerged on Friday, namely that the soft has a performance advantage over the medium in terms of both grip and lap time, a factor that ensures clear differentiation between the available options. In race pace running, however, the two softer compounds proved to be very closely matched, increasing the number of strategic scenarios available.

According to Pirelli, simulations indicate that a one-stop strategy is the most effective solution in terms of overall race time. The soft-medium combination could be chosen by more than one team in order to maximise the grip advantage offered by the red-banded tyre.

"The hard nevertheless remains a valid option for the second stint, regardless of whether the race is started on the soft or the medium. An early neutralisation could in fact encourage teams to complete the remainder of the race on the white-banded rubber.

Should degradation prove higher than expected, a two-stop strategy based on a soft-medium-soft sequence could also become an attractive option. The time difference compared with the one-stop strategy remains relatively small, but track position and the potential impact of traffic must also be taken into account. Ultimately, it will be the evolution of track conditions and temperature that determine the choices made by the teams.

Verstappen and Hadjar both have two sets of fresh softs, while Leclerc has one. Norris and Hamilton have two sets of fresh mediums while their rivals have one apiece.

Those starting on mediums - and on a one-stop - are likely to stop from Lap 21 onwards, while the soft starters to hard window is a lap earlier. Two stoppers starting on softs, the changing to mediums and softs again, will likely stop from Lap 16 and again from Lap 35, with those on a medium to soft strategy pitting from Lap 26.

Other than track limits, and the bumps, the drivers will once again be hampered by the wind which has definitely picked up. Air temperature is 27 degrees C, while the track temperature is 39 degrees.

Hulkenberg is first out, followed by Lindblad, Sainz, Albon and Perez.

Verstappen is the first of the big guns to head out, followed by Russell, Piastri and Hadjar.

As the drivers take their places on the grid, there is a lot of activity at the rear of Alonso's Aston Martin.

In the moments before the formation lap there is an FIA official at the rear of Alonso's car, which earlier had some flames leaping from the back.

All are starting on softs bar Antonelli, Russell, Piatri, Norris and Stroll who are on mediums and Bottas and Colapinto who are on hards. Fresh rubber for all bar Hamilton.

They head off on the formation lap, all get away cleanly.

The grid forms.

They're away! While Antonelli is like greased lighting off the grid, it's a poor start from Verstappen who appears to be struggling for power. Into Turn 1 the Ferraris are side-by-side both clearly eager to pounce on the struggling Dutchman.

It's a poor start from Hadjar also, who has lost out to the Ferrari pair and is under threat from Russell and the McLarens.

Through the Esses and Leclerc sails past the still struggling Verstappen, while Hamilton looks to add insult to injury. Just behind, Hadjar appears to have held off Russell and the McLarens. Indeed, the Frenchman is now attacking Hamilton.

However, Hadjar is now under attack from Russell again, the Briton running wide in the process.

Suddenly, Verstappen appears to get his power back and makes short work of repassing Leclerc.

At the end of Lap 1, it's: Antonelli, Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Hadjar, Russell, Piastri, Norris, Lawson and Gasly.

The VSC is deployed as there is debris on the track at Turn 11 following a clash involving Albon and Alonso. Sainz and Lindblad also touched at the start.

The VSC is almost instantly withdrawn, as Antonelli maintains 2.4s advantage.

Bearman and Gasly battling for 10th.

Lap 2 sees a fastest lap from Verstappen (48.372), as he builds a 1.2s gap over Leclerc, who has Hamilton hard on his heels.

For reasons best know to themselves there is a series of yellow flags but it is unclear why.

Russell has been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

Check out our Sunday gallery from COTA here.