Grand Prix 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix (990th GP) Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

F1's whistle stop tour of countries with small F1 fan bases and dodgy human rights comes to Azerbaijan in the last week of April for a race round the 'historic' city streets of Baku. You can tell it's 'historic' because there is a castle and everything. It's fair to say that when this Grand Prix was first put on the calendar it was universally hated. Firstly it was yet another street circuit, secondly it called itself the European Grand Prix when Azerbijan is not in Europe, and thirdly it was set up to clash with the 24 hour race at Le Mans. Frankly it was the worst PR campaign since someone said "hey Mr Millerband let's get a picture of you eating that bacon sandwich" - however a few years in and something has changed. It turns out that the circuit lay out generates interesting races and now, for the first time, the majority of the F1 fan base are looking forward to coming back here.

So why does the layout create good racing? Well basically it's two circuits in one with a tight twisty technical section and a silly long blast down it straight. Modern F1 cars struggle to set up for both meaning teams have to try and strike a balance which leads to some getting it spot on and some very wrong. The straight is so long that it brings old fashioned drafting and slipstream back into play. This means you can do this thing called overtaking which is an old fashioned concept in F1 but a good one. The other reason it creates good racing is there is very little run off area and, as modern F1 drivers seen incapable of colouring between the lines, this leads to accident, which in turn leads to bunched up racing and mixed up positions.

This will only be the 4th running of the race but already the track has many memorable moments. The Force India's playing demolition derby with each other. The early FINNish (Kimi and Bottas collide). Vettel's moment of road rage. Bottas getting Lance Stroll on the line for 2nd. The Red Bulls taking each other out. Lewis having loose straps. Bottas last lap puncture. Vettel's lunge for the lead. When you list it like that you realise how much has happened here in only a few races. Let's hope for another classic. God knows F1 needs it right now after the snorefest of China and ever falling viewing figures.

A quick look at the form book and you'd have to be brave to bet against Mercedes. Closer inspection shows that Bottas has always been good round here and might be worth a punt. Bottas has impressed me this season so far. It's very hard to impress when your team mate is Lewis Hamilton but there seems more fire in him. Taking a look over at the red side of the grid you would think the grunt of the Ferrari's engine would give them a distinct advantage with the long straight in Baku but let's not underestimate Ferrari's capacity for self destruction. I'm sure they will try drafting in quali and I'm sure they will mess it up. I'm fascinated to see how the Red Bull goes this weekend as the Honda engine now does seem capable of being respectable in power situation. With the potential for a mixed up race you would think Red Bull would be all over this one, however street circuits do not tend to be Verstappen's speciality as he tends to hit things (or cars). I also fully expect to see some exploding Renault engines this weekend - although if we get into proper mixed up race territory then keep your eye on Danny Ric. Your dark horse from the midfield? This is Giovanazzi's favourite track and he has gone very well here in other formula.

For your amusement here is your Azerbaijan bingo card. Tick them off as and when they happen and see if you can get a full house:

- The word 'historic' will be utter at least 5 times when discussing the city in commentary

- It's just like Macau will be uttered every twenty mins.

- at least one team will try drafting in qualifying

- at least one team will mess up drafting in qualifying

- one of the commentators will tell us how beautiful the city is and how we should all come visit

- Verstappen will hit something or someone

- Perez will hit something or someone (bonus if it's his team mate)

- at least two punctures

- at least 3 safety cars

- at least 4 mentions of Vettel's road rage incident

- Toto Wolff telling us how they love circuits like this because it creates mixed up racing whilst simultaneously looking like he can't stand the place.
 
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Just reallsed FB you are writing the PQR for Italy so feel free to regurgitate the fact I regurgitated in this thread and feel like an F1 smug hipster dick like me if you like.
 
on that matter why didnt the fudge it & do all these pomp/ceremony at the 1000th F1 grand prix at monza in a far more fitting venue
 
Welcome Jimbob :wave::moustache:


And so it begins, the first grid penalty of the season in only the 4th race of the season. Giovinazzi takes a ten place grid penalty for a third change of control electronics as Alfa Romeo upgrade their car. I am sure he feels very lucky to be the first driver to get a penalty like it this season. One thing is for sure, he sure won't be the last, that is for certain.
 
And so it begins, the first grid penalty of the season in only the 4th race of the season. Giovinazzi takes a ten place grid penalty for a third change of control electronics as Alfa Romeo upgrade their car. I am sure he feels very lucky to be the first driver to get a penalty like it this season. One thing is for sure, he sure won't be the last, that is for certain.

Well, it probably won't affect Giovinazzi's race. ;)
 
FP1 cancelled after Russel ripped the bottom out of his car on a loose manhole cover.
Recovery truck then hit a bridge driving it back to the pits with the crane that was still up dumping hydraulic oil all over the Williams.
 
A comedy of errors in Baku.

A manhole cover is lifted up, which poor George Russell then drove over absolutely destroying the floor of his Williams.

Then the recovery truck carrying the stricken Williams hits a bridge covering the car on the flatbed in hydraulic fluid...

300 manholes to check.
 
Hopefully the tub on the Williams is OK although given the way they have been performing half a floor probably wouldnt make much difference.
 
I think that Baku is a dangerous track, let's leave to one side for a moment what happened today, the main straight is far too long with the DRS since the speed differential among cars with and without DRS open is way too high. Also I believe that such a long straight is very dangerous afrer an SC restart, espeically when the lead driver tries to create havoc by backing up the whole field, basically the ones behind are bound to catch up a very strong tow and so they all get into a messy situation either at the first corner or even while they cross the line (when you're travelling at over 300 kmph you can't just lift, with the aero drag that those cars have it's like braking very hard, so in the past we've seen many times drivers overtaking after an SC restart before they crossed the line, IMHO silly and dangerous)
 
Poor Russell, and after he wasn't feeling well either. Apparently he's had a respiratory infection and that was why he had to cancel some press stuff yesterday. His day is going about as well as mine by the sound of it!

As for the truck and the hydraulic fluid...... there aren't words. It's going to be one of those weekends isn't it?
 
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