This weekend F1 returns to Baku, Azerbaijan on western shore of the Caspian Sea as the city plays host to its fifth Formula 1 Grand Prix. This circuit is notable for its long power-hungry straights and 90 degree turns as it works its way around centuries-old architecture. Some have described it as having the complexity of Monaco but with the speed of Monza, and while that is not exactly the case, in 2017 and 2018 it produced two of the most exciting races in modern F1 history.
Red Bull enter the weekend on a high having taken the lead in the constructor and driver championships after Monaco. Despite this, the team know that Mercedes will not be resting on their laurels and often come back stronger after defeat. That said, if Red Bull anticipates this and works just as hard, they could win again, certainly a podium is in the offing. On the AlphaTauri side expect to see one car in the points with the other close behind.
Elsewhere on the grid, as we mentioned above, Mercedes are known for strong comebacks following losses so we can’t count them out to be contenders for the win. We should expect to see a McLaren slot in as best-of-the-rest with a resurgent Ferrari not far behind. Following them look for an Alpine and an Aston Martin battling, likely in that order. At this point in the order we will see team cars from the aforementioned runners. Mixing in and after this will be Alfa Romeo who will have a Williams hot on their tail. And rounding out the order will be Haas with its two rookie drivers and woefully underdeveloped car.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, June 4, 4:25 AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, June 4, 7:55 AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, June 5, 4:55 AM –
ESPNU
Qualifying – Saturday, June 5, 7:55 AM – ESPN2
Grand Prix Sunday – Sunday, June 6, 6:30 AM –
ESPN
Race – Sunday, June 6, 7:55 AM –
ESPN
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Lap Data
Circuit length: 6.006km/3.732 miles
Turns: 20
Number of laps: 51
Distance to Turn One: 202m/0.126 miles
Longest straight: 2.1km/1.305 miles
Lap record: 1:43.009 Charles Leclerc 2019
Car Performance
Top speed: 340km/h/211mph
Full throttle: 56 per cent
ERS
demands: High
Brake wear: Medium
Gear changes: 62 per lap /3,162 per race
Fuel consumption: 2.1kg per lap, making it one of the highest of the season
DRS
zones: Two, on the approaches to Turns One and Three
Key corner: Turn 15, a deceptively fast left-hander, through which entry speeds will be high and the walls will be close. Turn Eight is another notable corner, where the apex is a medieval wall and the track is only two car widths wide
Fastest corner: 170km/h (106mph), Turn 16
Slowest corner: 86km/h (53mph), Turn 8
Strategy
Pitlane length: 295m/0.183 miles, estimated time loss 22s
Tire choices: Hard (C3), Medium (C4), Soft (C5) (2019: Hard (C2), Medium (C3), Soft (C4))
2019 RESULTS
Race Info.
Laps: 51
Pole: Valtteri Bottas, 1:40.495
Fast race lap: Charles Leclerc, 1:43.009
Podium
1. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 105
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 101
3. Lando Norris, McLaren, 56
4. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 47
5. Sergio Perez, Red Bull, 44
6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 40
7. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, 38
8. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, 24
9. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, 16
10. Esteban Ocon, Alpine, 12
11. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, 10
12. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, 9
13. Fernando Alonso, Alpine, 5
14. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, 2
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo, 1
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo, 0
17. George Russell, Williams, 0
18. Nicholas Latifi, Williams, 0
19. Mick Schumacher, Haas, 0
20. Nikita Mazepin, Haas, 0
Constructors
1. Red Bull, 149
2. Mercedes, 148
3. McLaren, 80
4. Ferrari, 78
5. Aston Martin, 19
6. AlphaTauri, 18
7. Alpine, 17
8. Alfa Romeo, 1
9. Williams, 0
10. Haas, 0
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