|
|
Post by René on Apr 26, 2023 10:16:45 GMT
 After a long break of a month, the circus will start again this weekend in the streets of Baku. Again a completely different circuit than the previous three races and whether this changes anything in the balance of power we will have to wait and see.  Of course Red Bull will be the team to beat again and Aston Martin will certainly be strong too. But just like in Australia, it will again be interesting to see if Mercedes and Ferrari can take a step forward. In Australia, the picture was slightly distorted by the chaotic race, but Sainz's race pace was equal and sometimes faster than Alonso, for example. We shall see!  In any case, it will be a busy weekend with a new set-up for the sprint race and qualifying. On Friday there is qualifying for the Grand Prix on Sunday and on Saturday there is a sprint qualifying and then the sprint race. And the weekend will be very busy anyway with the F1 race in Baku, the MotoGP race in Spain, the IndyCar race in Birmingham and last but not least, the WEC race in Spa!  |
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Apr 26, 2023 14:22:46 GMT
I still can't get used to the idea of racing here, there are no positive memories of this place for me, in fact the only things I do remember is the fizzy drinks cars crashing into each other and Romain having an off behind the pace car and blaming Erikson and then admitting it was entirely his fault and apologising but with sublime gallic humour-
anyway I have gone for the Hulk - why not?
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 26, 2023 16:01:40 GMT
I still can't get used to the idea of racing here, there are no positive memories of this place for me, in fact the only things I do remember is the fizzy drinks cars crashing into each other and Romain having an off behind the pace car and blaming Erikson and then admitting it was entirely his fault and apologising but with sublime gallic humour- anyway I have gone for the Hulk - why not? Why not Chris. Strange things have happened here before. |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Apr 26, 2023 18:31:22 GMT
After a long break of a month, the circus will start again this weekend in the streets of Baku. Again a completely different circuit than the previous three races and whether this changes anything in the balance of power we will have to wait and see. Of course Red Bull will be the team to beat again and Aston Martin will certainly be strong too. But just like in Australia, it will again be interesting to see if Mercedes and Ferrari can take a step forward. In Australia, the picture was slightly distorted by the chaotic race, but Sainz's race pace was equal and sometimes faster than Alonso, for example. We shall see! An excellent street course and probably the best Hermann Tilke design. It has a good balance, with super tight areas and a superfast straight. I would love to be on top of the old castle tower during qualifying! |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Apr 26, 2023 18:55:00 GMT
I still can't get used to the idea of racing here, there are no positive memories of this place for me, in fact the only things I do remember is the fizzy drinks cars crashing into each other and Romain having an off behind the pace car and blaming Erikson and then admitting it was entirely his fault and apologising but with sublime gallic humour- anyway I have gone for the Hulk - why not? Chris, That Red Bull moment may have been the most childish of Max Verstappen's many tantrums. I remember the Force India teammates bumping hard on a short straight and Vettel's hissy fit rearending of Saint Lewis during a safety car period. Baku demands intelligence and discretion not always abundant in F1.  You'll have wonderful memories if Hülkenberg secures a long-deserved maiden victory. I almost seconded your choice before remembering he drives for Haas...but as René posted, stranger things have happened there. Cheers, Carl |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on Apr 27, 2023 7:35:22 GMT
I love this GP. The thrill of the long straight with these cars puts one on the edge of the seat. Hoping for a Ferrari turn around but with the mayhem in the team management being caused by the executive duo at the very top, Elkan and ano I don't expect much. When will Ferrari put racers and people who understand racing at the top instead of wannabe glamour boys who know nothing about anything and in true corporate style instill fear instead of teamwork.
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 27, 2023 9:31:29 GMT
I agree it's a great street course. It's a strange country to visit sure and there are hardly any fans but the actual racing is always exciting here and the scenery is unique.  |
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 28, 2023 11:53:26 GMT
It's looking extremely close between Red Bull and Ferrari so far. And since there was only one free practice session this weekend, the times are more relevant than usual. The updated McLaren looked fast in the hands of Norris and Nyck de Vries was flying! The Aston Martins looked relatively slow and even more the Mercedes cars. But okay, still early days. 1. Max Verstappen Red Bull RB19 Red Bull 1'42.315 2. Charles Leclerc Ferrari SF-23 Ferrari 1'42.352 - 0.037 3. Sergio Perez Red Bull RB19 Red Bull 1'42.454 - 0.139 4. Carlos Sainz Ferrari SF-23 Ferrari 1'42.899 - 0.584 5. Lando Norris McLaren MCL60 McLaren 1'43.125 - 0.810 6. Nyck de Vries AlphaTauri AT04 AlphaTauri 1'43.414 - 1.099 7. Lance Stroll Aston Martin AMR23 Aston Martin 1'43.455 - 1.140 8. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin AMR23 Aston Martin 1'43.560 - 1.245 9. Alex Albon Williams FW45 Williams 1'43.628 - 1.313 10. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo C43 Alfa Romeo 1'43.748 - 1.433 It became a little hot for Pierre! |
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 28, 2023 14:56:50 GMT
Whooaah! Pole position for Charles Leclerc! What a lap, what a qualifying beast he is. Fantastic stuff. Russell out of the top 10 and McLaren definitely looking better.  1. Charles Leclerc Ferrari SF-23 1'40.203 2. Max Verstappen Red Bull RB19 1'40.391 - 0.188 3. Sergio Perez Red Bull RB19 1'40.495 - 0.292 4. Carlos Sainz Ferrari SF-23 1'41.016 0.813 - 0.521 5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes W14 1'41.177 - 0.974 6. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin AMR23 1'41.253 - 1.050 7. Lando Norris McLaren MCL60 1'41.281 - 1.078 8. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri AT04 1'41.581 - 1.378 9. Lance Stroll Aston Martin AMR23 1'41.611 - 1.408 10. Oscar Piastri McLaren MCL60 1'41.611 - 1.408 |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Apr 28, 2023 15:54:09 GMT
Un risultato fantastico! Bravo continua così  |
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 28, 2023 16:50:23 GMT
Un risultato fantastico! Bravo continua così Grazie Carl, grazie.  |
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 29, 2023 19:58:39 GMT
I even managed to watch the sprint race live! Charles was sublime and Ferrari clearly made a step forward. But the Red Bull simply is too fast on the straight. But we’ll get them. Max is angry at George because he gave him no room…. really Max?  |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on Apr 30, 2023 8:26:27 GMT
Max is in danger of becoming a legend in his own mind. Reputation and status don't give you free passage.
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 30, 2023 18:08:48 GMT
Another Red Bull win but at least good it was Checo again. The Red Bull is simply too fast but DRS is also really a problem and needs to go. I am not saying Charles would have won today without DRS but he could have yesterday. There is no way a driver with a slightly slower car can win now.
I am glad Ferrari is back on track again and they might win a few races later in the season but the gap to RB is still huge… and Carlos needs to up his game.
The pitlane incident with Ocon and all those people there while the race was still on was outrageous! I cannot get my head around it how this could happen. Those responsible should be fired.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on May 1, 2023 1:17:38 GMT
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix Circuit would be great fun to drive, but were any passes straightforward? Was every one enabled by drag reduction?
The speed comparison graphic showed Verstappen had an almost 20 mph advantage approaching Turn 1 when he first took the lead. Regardless of who benefits, this artificial advantage degrades the sport and should be eliminated.
|
|
