This weekend F1 returns to Baku, Azerbaijan on western shore of the Caspian Sea as the city plays host to its sixth 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 it has produced some of the most exciting races in modern F1 history.
Red Bull comes to Baku with a quiet confidence emerging as they improve the performance and reliability of their car, both drivers are getting the most out of it, and team strategy is on-point. Despite this, Ferrari has a car that is faster in some scenarios but strategy seems to be their perennial weakness. If they continue to get it right, a win is in the cards and having two cars finish in podium places is not out of the question. On the AlphaTauri side expect to see one car in the points with the other close behind.
Elsewhere on the grid, look for this to be a general ranking of team performance coming into the race weekend:
1. Red Bull
2. Ferrari
3. Mercedes
4. McLaren
5. Alfa Romeo
6. Alpine
7. AlphaTauri
8. Haas
9. Aston Martin
10. Williams
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, June 10, 6:55 AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, June 10, 9:55 AM – ESPN2
Practice 3 – Saturday, June 11, 6:55 AM –
ESPNU
Qualifying – Saturday, June 11, 9:55 AM – ESPN2
Grand Prix Sunday – Sunday, June 12, 5:30 AM –
ESPN
Race – Sunday, June 12, 6:55 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) (2021: Hard (C3), Medium (C4), Soft (C5))
2021 RESULTS
Race Info.
Laps: 51
Pole: Charles Leclerc, 1:41.218
Fast race lap: Max Verstappen, 1:44.481
Podium
1. Sergio Perez, Red Bull
2. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
3. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
CURRENT STANDINGS
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