Portimão Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?

"The last shall be the first" is undeniably the best way to sum up the speed trap numbers from Saturday's Portuguese GP qualifying session.

Indeed, poleman Valtteri Bottas was among the "laggards" on Portimão's main straight, but there was no match for the Finn's Mercedes around the tricky circuit's corners and undulations.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who qualified an excellent fifth in Saturday's shootout, was another relative idler down the straight, indicating the efficient handling characteristics of the Scuderia's SF21.

At the top of the speed trap readings, Fernando Alonso's Alpine was comfortably the fastest, yet the Spaniard was a lowly P13 in qualifying.

• Read also: 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix - Qualifying results

So, what does it all entail for Sunday's race?

Well, in theory, the track caters to higher downforce levels, but the Algarve circuit's single straight that offers drivers the only real overtaking opportunity has required everyone to choose the best set-up compromise between being fast in the corners and protecting their top speed on the straight.

We'll venture to guess that Turn 1 will see a lot of action this afternoon, up and down the field.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter