This weekend F1 returns to Baku, Azerbaijan on western shore of the Caspian Sea as the city plays host to its seventh 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, it has produced some of the most exciting races in modern F1 history. For 2023 Azerbaijan brings us our first Sprint race of the season where knockout qualifying is on Friday and a Sprint race takes place on Saturday.
Red Bull will approach the weekend with confidence that if they execute well, a double podium finish including a win are possible. Look for Max Verstappen to take the win and for Sergio Perez to be as close to him as we’ve seen all season. 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. Aston Martin
3. Ferrari
4. Mercedes
5. Alfa Romeo
6. Alpine
7. Williams
8. Haas
9. AlphaTauri
10. McLaren
US TV SCHEDULE
Friday, April 28:
Practice 1 – 5:25AM – ESPN2
Friday Qualifying – 8:55AM –
ESPNU
Saturday, April 29:
Practice 2 – 5:25AM – ESPN2
Sprint Race – 9:25AM –
ESPN
Sunday, April 30:
Grand Prix Sunday (pre-race) – 5:30AM –
ESPN
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – 6:55AM –
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) (2022: Hard (C3), Medium (C4), Soft (C5))
2022 RESULTS
Race Info.
Laps: 51
Pole: Charles Leclerc, 1:41.359
Fast race lap: Sergio Perez, 1:46.046
Podium
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2. Sergio Perez, Red Bull
3. George Russell, Mercedes
CURRENT STANDINGS
TRACK MAP & VIDEO
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