The Lowdown On The Azerbaijan Grand Prix

What You Need To Know


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Formula 1's headed back to Baku this weekend.

Where you ask?

Baku, Azerbaijan.

If you're punching it into Google Maps, take a right turn at Ukraine, hop through Russia and you're there.

This seaside city on the Caspian is famous for its medieval walled old city, and that's exactly where the cars will be racing this weekend.

Watch out for that castle! (Pic: Formula1.com)

The street circuit is best described as a tricky combination of the street sections of Monaco and the flat-out straights of Monza.

It's not tough on tyres but it's sure punishes brakes and its walls (like Monaco) are unforgiving and demand total concentration.

Daniel Ricciardo's the only current driver to have started on the front row in Baku when he started alongside the retired Nico Rosberg in the very first race in Azerbaijan.

At over 6 kilometres, it's the second longest track on the calendar - only Spa in Belgium is longer.

So with that in mind, here are some talking points for the weekend.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS FOR LEWIS HAMILTON

Having topped the three practice sessions in Baku last year, Lewis crashed into the barriers in Q3 and started 10th.

The Brit's race unravelled with a power deployment issue but he got it together and finished 5th.

Sitting 12 points behind Sebastian Vettel in the championship, Hamilton will want to atone for last year's mess.


BETTER LATE THAN NEVER FOR MCLAREN?

With a Honda split seemingly on the cards, perhaps the guys in orange can cobble some results together in Azerbaijan.

That might sound like wishful thinking, but if Honda want their stablemates to rethink divorce plans, now might be the time to sort out their troubled engine unit.

But Formula 1's longest full throttle straight on the calendar obviously won't do them any favours.

(Pic: Formula1.com)


PEREZ PRESSES...

Sergio Perez will be one to watch this weekend after coming within a whisker of pole last year.

The Mexican qualified second before a penalty saw him line up seventh, but that didn't stop him working his way up the field to finish on the podium.

A points finish is clearly the expectation for the Force India pilot on a track that clearly suits him.


NOW OR NEVER FOR JOLYON

The clock is ticking for Renault's other guy after management declared the 26 year old "has to deliver."

Team mate Nico Rosberg has the Brit more than covered, bagging all of their 18 points this season.

 

RISKY RACING?


Last year's maiden race was expected to deliver some thrills but that didn't really happen.

18 of the 22 cars reached the finish line and Nico Rosberg led from start to finish.

Drivers took extra care on the tighter sections of the track - particularly around the old castle.

But with the pecking order much tighter this year and DRS having less of an impact on overtaking, expect drivers to take a few more risks this time around.


Practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix begins at 19:00 on Friday night on Fox Sports.

The lights go green on the race at 23:00 on Sunday night on Fox Sports.

 

10 December 2018




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