30/04/2023
NEWS STORY
Anyone else (insert own adjective here, we'll go for amused) by Sky's profuse apology for Max Verstappen's language yesterday, then proceeding to spend the remaining hour of its post-Sprint coverage, eagerly pouring more and more gasoline on the fire.
Over the course of the hour every man and his dog was asked their opinion, indeed the only one missing was Charles Leclerc's track invading cat.
Finally, just four races into the season, Sky, like Netflix, had what it wanted, some controversy, and what better than a driver feud, especially one involving everyone's favourite pantomime villain and a good old British boy.
As all and sundry queued to share their opinion, Damon Hill was allowed to take another shot at Michael Schumacher, while Christian Horner suggested that Russell was lucky he still had his helmet on during the original confrontation, clearly feeling that the Mercedes driver had narrowly avoided the infamous Verstappen-slappen.
As for the Sprint, well, once again Max gave them a ready-made headline, though we prefer Alex Albon's comment.
"I'm on the fence with the sprint race if I'm honest," said the Williams driver, "it's rewarding the top four teams and they're already a step ahead of everyone else."
Fact is, you might have the best actors, the best director, the best effects and unlimited money, but if the basic concept isn't right, it won't work... ladies and gentlemen, we give you The Irishman.
While the Sprint points went to the usual suspects, it did at least give us a glimpse of what might unfold today, and we don't mean Max doing an Interlagos on Russell.
No, what we mean is tyres.
Here we were, a 17 laps race, a VSC and a Safety Car and the mediums couldn't go the distance.
No wonder Michelin is giving F1 the cold shoulder.
Again, we saw that the Ferrari's single-lap pace is awesome, but come the race, it is the Red Bull that reigns.
Both Mercedes looked strong, but in all honesty other than the tyre situation it was hard to get a genuine take on the pecking order due to the fact that it was a Sprint and clearly some drivers were not willing to take the sort of risks they might take today.
The big worry has to be at Aston Martin where the DRS issues continue. The Silverstone-based team never expected to do well here, and while Alonso did well to finish sixth yesterday, we do not expect this run of podiums to continue today.
Overnight changes to set-up mean that Hulkenberg will join Ocon is starting from the pitlane.
Whatever one's view of the Sprint, fact is we do agree with Christian Horner in that Baku is not a place to hold one. It is notorious for incidents and stoppages, and being a Monaco-like track in that it instantly punishes mistakes, means that those drivers not fully confident in the car beneath them are compromised.
Despite yesterday's evidence, Pirelli believes that a one-stopper should be the quickest strategy; starting on the medium before stopping for the hard between laps 13 and 18. A slower alternative is to start on softs and then switch to hards between laps eight and 13. However, drivers opting for this strategy would have to manage the hard compound carefully, considering the warmer temperatures.
Any two-stopper, which is slower on paper but may end up being used if the race is neutralised at any point, would optimally entail starting on the medium. The first option is to change to the medium again between laps 10 and 15, followed by a final stint on hard between laps 25 and 30.
To swap to hard at the first stop, this needs to be brought forward to between laps eight and 13, with the second stop coming between laps 27 and 33.
The pitlane opens and Stroll leads the way, followed by Tsunoda, Verstappen and pole-man Leclerc.
Russell is already complaining about traffic.
Air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 43 degrees. It is bright and sunny.
As a reminder, because qualifying was two days ago after all, Leclerc has pole, and starts ahead of Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Norris, Tsunoda, Stroll, Piastri, Russell, Albon, Bottas, Sargeant, Zhou, Magnussen, Gasly and de Vries, with Ocon and Hulkenberg in the pitlane.
"It's Baku," says James Vowles, "I'd be surprised if we don't get multiple VSC, Safety Cars and things like that.
"The top four teams, five teams are exceptional so to break into the points you have to be perfect and hope things fall your way," he adds.
Despite the bright sunshine we are told that there is a 20% chance of rain.
All are starting on fresh mediums bar de Vries, Ocon and Hulkenberg who are on fresh hards.
They head off on the formation lap all getting away cleanly.
The grid forms. Verstappen pointing inwards towards Leclerc.
They're away. Strong start from VErstapepn and Perez, while Leclerc is a little slow off the line. However, the short run to Turn 1 means that the Mexican has nowhere to go and consequently falls behind his teammate as Leclerc has the advantage into the first corner.
In Turn 2, there's a slight tangle as Magnussen, Piastri and Albon battle for position, the Australian doing well to control his sandwiched car.
A strong start sees Stroll up two places, likewise Russell, while Magnussen is up 3.
Basically, and rare for this particular track, it's a clean opening lap.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Stroll, Norris, Russell and Tsunoda.
"Front wing damage," reports Magnussen, who is running 13th, "I can't see it but I'm sure." "We'll keep looking," he is told, "but for now we're going to stay out. There is damage."
As DRS is enabled, Verstappen closes on the leading Ferrari.
Magnussen reports that he is currently able to hold position due to traffic, but fears he will lose out as the race develops.
At the start of Lap 4, Verstappen breezes past Leclerc on the pit straight to take the lead. With Perez just 0.4s behind the Mexican is likely to add to the Ferrari driver's misery.
In fifth, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (47.602), however, next time around, now in clear air, Verstappen posts a 47.108.
At the start of Lap 6, Perez finally nails Leclerc, and sets about closing the 1.239s gap to his teammate.
It's claimed that when Verstappen passes the Ferrari he was 30 km/h quicker.
Stroll says he will not attack his teammate. "We are both playing the same game," he says.
Alonso reports that Hamilton's tyres are beginning to grain. "We will attack them," he says. Told that Stroll will not attack him, he replies: "Well, he can have a go."
At the end of Lap 6, Gasly pits and switches to the hards.
Next time around, Bottas and Albon pit, the Thai driver rejoining in 18th, ahead of Gasly and the Finn.
1.2s down on his teammate, Perez posts a new fastest lap (46.885). However, his teammate responds with a 46.801.
Tsunoda, Piastri and Sargeant all pit at the end of Lap 8, as Alonso closes on Hamilton.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.
Russell is all over the back of eighth-placed Norris.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 9, as does Norris. They rejoin in 13th and 14th respectively.
Suddenly, Perez is all over the back of his Red Bull teammate who reports that he is struggling for grip.
De Vries clouts the wall at Turn 5, breaking his suspension in the process, and subsequently stops at Turn 6, thereby bringing out the yellows. Verstappen takes the opportunity to pit, as does Magnussen.
The Safety Car is deployed.
Perez subsequently pits, so do Leclerc, Sainz, Alonso, Stroll and Russell. Zhou also stops.
The stops over and done with, and still under the Safety Car, Perez leads Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Alonso, Russell, Stroll, Ocon, Hulkenberg and Hamilton.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 13.
At the restart, Leclerc hold position, while Stroll catches Russell napping in Turn 2. Moments later however, Verstappen nails Leclerc in Turn 3, while Alonso makes a brilliant move on Sainz in Turn 8 to claim 4th.
"That was a **** restart, sorry guys," says Russell.
After 14 laps, Ocon and Hulkenberg, who started from the pitlane, have yet to stop.
Hamilton passes his Mercedes teammate for 7th.
Perez is under investigation for an unsafe release.
Enjoying a 1.6s comfort gap, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (45.687).
No further investigation necessary say the stewards of Perez.
"I hit the wall, check tyre," says Stroll after repeating de Vries' error. "Car is OK," he is assured.
Magnussen tries a brave move on Zhou, but the Chinese driver immediately reclaims the position.
"Tell Lance my brake balance suggestion," urges Alonso, "I think it is good advice." The Spaniard is just 2.5s down on Leclerc who has fallen 6.4s down on Verstappen.
A mistake by Stroll at Turn 16 allows Hamilton to close in on, and subsequently pass, the Canadian.
Sainz is told that his tyres are fine and that he is free to push.
Both Bulls are lapping a second a lap faster than Leclerc who is now 9.5s down on Verstappen.
Gasly is all over Albon as they battle for 14th.
Ocon and Hulkenberg, who have yet to stop, lead a train of cars that includes Norris, Tsunoda, Piastri, Albon, Gasly and Magnussen.
Russell reports that Stroll is struggling with his tyres. "Think we should consider Plan B," he urges.
Lap 23 sees Gasly make his second stop of the day, the Frenchman sticking with the hards.
"I hit the wall at Turn 15," reports Hulkenberg, "check the pressures."
"What do you think about Plan A or Plan C, are you still happy with Plan A," Sainz is asked. "Yes, for the moment yes," he replies.
"Just give us a heads up as to what you are struggling with," Verstappen is asked. "The balance between diff and engine braking is not good," he replies.
Alonso closes to 1.1s of Leclerc, as Hamilton voices concern over his tyres.
Lap 32 sees Perez post a new fastest lap (45.311) as he maintains a 2.4s lead over his teammate. Meanwhile, Alonso has dropped 1.8s behind Leclerc.
In his pursuit of Perez, Verstappen gives the barrier at Turn 5 the tiniest of kisses.
At the other end of the field, Gasly sweeps past Bottas to claim 18th.
"I know this is frustrating, but this is a good pace for us," Norris is told.
"What happened at 15, Perez is asked. "I clipped the wall," he admits.
At the end of Lap 34, Bottas makes his third stop of the day.
"It's a long way to go on these tyres," sighs Hamilton who is currently sixth.
"We have to box this lap, we have an issue," Zhou is told, the Chinese driver is subsequently pushed into his garage.
There is activity in the Mercedes garage on Lap 38, meanwhile, told that there are 14 laps remaining, Alonso replies: "Good number, let's go for it."
Asked whether he wants to remain as is and finish 9th or pit and switch to mediums drop to 11th but be on the same tyre as the cars ahead (referring to Hulkenberg and Ocon who have still to stop), Norris admits that he prefers the latter option.
Hamilton is all over the rear of Sainz' Ferrari.
Gasly passes Sargeant for 16th as Leclerc posts a new fastest lap (44.670).
"Have you got any more power to give me at some stage," asks Hamilton.
On Lap 46, Norris makes a bold move on Hulkenberg in Turn 7 to claim 10th. Shortly after, Tsunoda also passes the Haas driver.
Leading by 3s, Perez asks about the fastest lap.
Piastri passes Hulkenberg for 12th.
Lap 48 sees Alonso post a new fastest lap (44.541) as he close to within 2.8s of Leclerc.
Albon is next to pass Hulkenberg, as Magnussen also makes short work of the hapless German.
Verstappen stops the clock at 44.474 but Alonso responds with a 44.241.
Russell pits at the end of Lap 50, the Briton switching to softs.
"Wind is getting gustier," Leclerc is advised as Alonso closes to within 1.2s.
Ocon pits only to be greeted with a crowded pitlane which had actually closed. The Alpine driver is confronted by photographers looking to cover the podium ceremony and Red Bull team members eager to celebrate the win.
Perez takes the flag, ahead of Verstappen, while Leclerc finishes just 0.807s ahead of Alonso. Sainz is fifth, ahead of Hamilton, Stroll, Russell, Norris and Tsunoda.
Piastri is eleventh, ahead of Albon, Magnussen, Gasly, Ocon, Sargeant, Hulkenberg and Bottas.
"They are in another league once it comes to the race," admits Lecelrc. "Over 51 laps it was not possible, they have so much more pace than we do.
"Everyone is working flat out to understand what we can do in the races to close the gap."
"The Safety Car was a bit unlucky," admits Verstappen, "the tyres were overheating and also the balance. I was struggling and once I got that sorted it was quite good again in the last ten laps.
"It's a very long season, you keep learning," he adds, "it can never be perfect all the time."
"It really worked out today for us," says Perez, "we managed to keep the pressure on Max as we had better degradation on that first stint.
"I think it was very close between us, we pushed to the maximum today, we both hit the wall a few times but we managed to keep Verstappen under control."
So, we leave Baku where the highlight appears to have been Max calling George a "dickhead", a cat causing the Safety Car to stop and Esteban Ocon almost doing a Death Race 2000 in the pitlane.
However, once the Netflix guys have given it The Irishman treatment we'll probably be told that it was a classic.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.