15/09/2024
NEWS STORY
Though we remain somewhat unconvinced by the Baku City Circuit - as is the case with most of the new street tracks - we must admit that it never fails to throw up a surprise or two.
Over the years we've seen numerous incidents - Verstappen's last gasp tyre failure, for example - and we have to admit that more often than not the Baku events are entertaining.
However, just looking back at this morning's F2 race, it is a track that has to be treated with respect, a track that, like Monaco, will bite back.
Almost from the opening moment of FP1 there have been incidents this weekend, be it Leclerc going into the barriers (again) or Alpine suffering a nightmare, and one cannot help but feel that this will continue into today's race.
Which begs the question, will this year's race finally give us cause to say: "Well done Baku!"
The fact that Leclerc is on pole for the fourth successive year aside, look at that 0.32s advantage over Piastri, while Sainz is up there to lean his teammate his full support.
And talking of teammates, just days after McLaren admitted that team orders might implemented from here on in, Norris screws it up in qualifying thereby handing the advantage to a driver who will grab the opportunity with both hands.
While Verstappen went the wrong way in making changes to his car ahead of qualifying the Red Bulls are looking strong, and don't forget that Perez loves this track. That said, Red Bull with an eye on the titles, will probably call on the Mexican to be the perfect team player today. Then, other than Russell, we have the two Williams drivers, in particular Colapinto who has taken the sport by storm.
Making his debut for Haas, Bearman also continues to impress, and could well make history today by becoming the first driver to score points in his first two races with different teams.
Other than the usual midfield scrap, we also have Norris and Hamilton - who starts from the pitlane after taking on a new engine - keen to battle their way up the field on a track which encourages overtaking.
While Leclerc appears to have placed his towel on the pole slot, over the years he has made a number of mistakes here. Indeed, Friday's crash means that he has had no experience of long runs so far this weekend.
Though this morning's carnage happened on the grid, over the years we have seen numerous incidents on the first lap, especially at Turn 1, and this year threatens to be no exception.
There hasn't been a Safety Car for the last seven races - something of a record these days - however that it likely to change today, with some claiming a 60% chance of it being deployed.
All in all this has the makings of being a thriller and possibly even a turning point in the championship.
The pitlane opens and the drivers head out, among the last out are the Ferrari pair.
"The brakes don't feel like they have great deceleration," warns Russell.
Finally the drivers begin to take their place on the grid.
In terms of strategy, on paper, the one-stop is definitely the quickest option, with medium and hard the most suitable. A two-stop only becomes credible if there is a Safety Car in the second half of the race and that's probably why many drivers have held back two sets of C3 for tomorrow afternoon.
Theoretically the first stop should come between laps 13 and 20 for those who opt to start on the mediums, while those who start on hards should pit between laps 32 and 38.
A neutralisation could lead to a run of pit stops, as we saw last year for example. One factor to consider will be graining, given that the track is still very dirty.
Air temperature is 27 degrees while the track temperature is 47 degrees.
"So difficult to predict," says Toto Wolff, "Leclerc is a power to be reckoned with in Baku and the rest is pretty much unknown. It's a medium start and everyone will aim for a one-stop."
All are starting on mediums bar Albon, Ricciardo, Norris, Zhou, Gasly and Ocon who are on hards. Fresh rubber all round except for Alonso (as ever), Tsunoda, Stroll (as ever), Ricciardo, Bottas, Zhou and Ocon.
"We have a quick car, you're driving well, it can be pay day today," Colapinto is told.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly except for Hamilton and Ocon who wait in the pitlane.
The grid forms.
They're away! Leclerc leads the field safely through Turn 1, while Verstappen gets through on the inside of Russell. At Turn 2 Perez and Sainz are side-by-side, the Mexican holding off the Ferrari.
Shortly after, Stroll clashes with Tsunoda as he attempts to dive through on the inside in Turn 4 and gets a front-left puncture for his trouble.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Leclerc, Piastri, Perez, Sainz, Verstappen, Russell, Alonso, Colapinto, Albon and Bearman. Norris is up to 13th, then 12th as he passes Hulkenberg in Turn 1 at the start of Lap 2.
"We're now effectively on Plan B," Stroll is told after pitting, "so it will have to be a gentle introduction."
As Norris challenges Tsunoda, Piastri is all over Leclerc who is unable to extract himself from DRS range.
In the space of two corners, Tsunoda loses out to Norris and then Hulkenberg.
Ricciardo is told that his teammate has car damage as Tsunoda is passed by the Australian, Gasly and Hamilton.
Piastri remains 0.8s down on Leclerc as he extends a 1.8s lead over Perez who is 2.2s clear of Sainz.
"They feel alright at the minute," replies Norris when asked about his tyres. He is currently 1.2s down on Bearman.
Lap 6 sees a new fastest lap from Leclerc (48.052) as he builds a 1.6s lead.
A big lock-up for Bearman in Turn 15 allows Norris to close and eventually pass the Haas driver. Next up in Albon who is stuck behind Colapinto and Alonso who has fallen 4.6s behind Russell.
"I think a plastic bag just went in the airbox," warns Russell as Hulkenberg closes in on Bearman.
"The medium is not graining yet," Norris is told, "if anything is suffering from thermal deg. You're doing a better job."
"I have zero bite in the car," reports Verstappen who is losing ground to Sainz.
Colapinto pits at the end of Lap 10, rejoining in 15th on hards as Hulkenberg passes his Haas teammate.
Next time around Alonso pits, which is good news for Norris who is 2.4s down on Albon. As Alonso rejoins in 14th, Bottas also pits.
Verstappen, Russell and Hamilton all pit at the end of Lap 12, the Dutchman rejoins in 10th following a slow stop, while Russell is 12th and Hamilton 18th.
All of which promotes Norris to sixth.
Perez pits at the end of Lap 13, the Mexican rejoining in 6th, ahead of Hulkenberg.
On his fresh hards Perez goes quickest in S2 while Piastri stays out.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.
Russell passes Gasly for ninth as Bearman pits.
"Can you do anything to hold Checo up in the middle sector without hurting yourself," Norris is asked. "Just one or two laps."
"He's holding me," reports Perez at which point Piastri pits.
Perez passes Norris but is unable to get ahead of Piastri as the Australian exits the pits.
Tsunoda has retired, the cameras revealing the extensive damage to his sidepod after that clash with Stroll.
Leclerc pits at the end of Lap 16, as Perez posts a new fastest lap (47.140).
Leclerc rejoins in 2nd, 13s down on his teammate but only 0.8s ahead of Albon who immediately applies the pressure.
As Sainz pits, Piastri passes Albon for second, 1.181s down on Leclerc.
Sainz rejoins in 6th as Perez pressurises Albon.
In quick succession, Hamilton passes Ocon and Zhou for 15th. Next up is Bearman.
On Lap 19, Perez passes Albon on the pit straight for 3rd, the Mexican third, 2.2s down on Piastri who is 0.8s behind Leclerc.
At the start of Lap 20, Piastri dives around the inside of Leclerc in Turn have enjoyed the benefit of DRS and the tow on the straight. Leclerc fights back for several corners but to no avail for the Australian is having none of it.
As Leclerc continues to shadow Piastri, Perez waits to pick up the pieces.
Hamilton has a look down the inside of Bearman but thinks better of it.
"I'm struggling a little bit," reports Norris.
The three leaders are covered by just 1.138s.
"They are pushing like crazy, or do they have more grip than us," asks Leclerc.
Colapinto passes Gasly for 10th.
Norris appears to be caught napping as Sainz nips through to claim 5th.
Stroll makes his second stop of the afternoon at the end of Lap 22.
Having been passes by Albon, Norris is now under attack from title rival Verstappen.
Lap 24 sees a new fastest lap from Piastri (47.066) as Verstappen complains that his brakes are not working following a massive lock-up in Turn 15 in his battle with Norris.
"When do you expect Norris and Albon to pit," asks Russell, stuck in a DRS train behind the Williams. He is told in around ten laps.
At the start of Lap 29 Leclerc makes a move on Piastri but to no avail as Perez drops 1.1s behind... though the Mexican could be saving his tyres.
"Are you seeing how I have to drive this thing," asks Hamilton, who is still stuck behind Bearman. "It's effective though," he is assured.
"I haven't got the pace, I can't get close," admits Norris as he is told the team is "considering doing something different". Just ahead, Albon has slipped 12s behind Sainz.
"Keep it nice and tidy," Leclerc is urged, "this is good fighting."
As Albon pits, Verstappen and Russell are side-by-side, the Dutchman managing to hold off the Mercedes.
As Albon pits, Norris immediately posts a PB.
Albon rejoins in 11th, 1.01s down on Hulkenberg.
"I have no rear grip," complains Verstappen. "The car is jumping at the rear, losing contact."
Shortly after, the Dutchman is passed by Russell for 6th.
"Leclerc's tyres are worse than yours at the rear, slightly better at the front," Piastri is advised.
Zhou pits at the end of Lap 35, switching to the mediums.
"Come on Charles, keep it up!"
Hulkenberg passes Colapinto for ninth as Albon closes in on the Argentine.
"Opposite McLaren," Leclerc is told, as Ferrari attempts to sell McLaren a dummy.
Having passed his teammate, Albon is all over Hulkenberg. Indeed, Bearman is under attack from Bearman and Hamilton.
Norris finally pits at the end of Lap 37. He rejoins in 7th, 14.6s down on Verstappen on fresh mediums.
Albon passes Hulkenberg for ninth.
"Piastri is starting to struggle," reports Leclerc as Norris posts a new fastest lap (45.662).
"Imagine Andrea on your shoulder saying zero wheelspin every exit," Piastri is advised.
Hamilton almost forces his way past Bearman to claim 12th.
Lap 42 sees another fastest lap from Norris (45.255) as he closes to within 8s of Verstappen.
"Come on," Leclerc is urged.
Interestingly, Sainz has closed up on Perez, the Spaniard just 1.3s down on the Mexican.
On Lap 46 Stroll becomes the second retirement of the day.
On Lap 47 Piastri gets out of DRS range as Perez and Sainz close on Leclerc.
"No rear tyres, no rear tyres at all," reports Leclerc.
At the start of Lap 49, Perez is all over Leclerc into Turn 1, but Sainz is right behind.
Meanwhile, Norris passes Verstappen for sixth as the world champion's day goes from bad to worse.
Piastri laps Ocon thereby giving himself even more of a comfort cushion.
Perez makes a move on Leclerc in Turn 1 at the start of Lap 50 attempting to go around the outside of the Ferrari, but goes a little too wide allowing Sainz through to claim second. The Mexican sets off after the Spaniard and is side-by-side with the Ferrari on the run out of Turn 2. He moves across and in the process his right-front touches he left-rear of the Ferrari sending them both into the wall.
"What happened there," asks Sainz as the VSC is deployed. "What the ****, what the ****, idiot!" shouts Perez at the VSC is deployed.
Having already lost out to Norris, Verstappen makes a late stop for softs and a point for fastest lap but the VSC will put the kibosh on that.
Consequently it's all a bit of an anti-climax as Piastri takes the win ahead of Leclerc, Russell, Norris, Verstappen, Alonso, Albon, Colapinto, Hamilton and Bearman.
Hulkenberg is eleventh, ahead of Gasly, Ricciardo, Zhou, Ocon and Bottas.
Understandably the Sainz/Perez clash will be investigated, and while a major blow to Ferrari and Red Bull it played right into the hands of Russell and Norris in particular.
In a late move, Hulkenberg, Verstappen, Ocon and Gasly are also summoned by the stewards for a VSC infringement, namely overtaking under the VSC after the chequered flag.
Despite the best efforts of the Sky team to inject excitement at the start of every lap, and with no disrespect to Piastri, who drove a brilliant race, once again the whole dirty air thing that spoiled what could have been a classic.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.
That said, it was a great, mature performance from Piastri and will hopefully silence those calling for team orders at McLaren. Whatever the rights and wrongs of what happened in qualifying to Norris the fact is that - not for the first time - the Australian didn't put a wheel wrong.
Leclerc's 'Baku curse' appeared to strike once again, but at least the Monegasque of knowing that his car can now challenge for wins.
Not for the first time Russell has benefitted from other's misfortune, while Norris can surely breathe a huge sigh of relief, especially as McLaren now leads the constructors' standings.
A great result for Williams which has both cars in the points, while Bearman makes a little bit of F1 history.
"Definitely surprised," admits Russell of his podium result, "but glad to see Checo and Carlos were ok.
"On the hard tyre we were one of the quickest out there," he adds, "I got past Max and an added bonus to get the podium. The hardest moment was driving into a wall of dust and carbon fibre on the penultimate lap. Long old race and glad to be on the podium."
"As soon as we put the hard tyres on, on the medium we were very competitive," says Leclerc. "I really thought in one corner or two I would put it in the wall, it was very close," he admits.
"McLaren and Oscar did an exceptional job and were better for us. A great shame for Carlos, I hope everyone is okay and not a great day for the team.
"On the straights I couldn't get as close as I wanted, and we lost the race when I didn't quite defend as well as I could have but it is how it is, sometimes you do mistakes and I will learn from it."
"I tried at the start to get in front, but once i dropped out of DRS I didn't have the pace," says race-winner Piastri. "After the stop, I felt like I had extra grip and I had to go for it as if I didn't get past at the start of the stint I never would. I went for a pretty big lunge then clung on for 35 laps. It goes down as one of my better races of my career.
"Considering where we started when I joined the team last year, we were literally last and now we are leading the championship. It's a big thanks to the team for improving the car but improving myself as well."
Not quite what we were hoping for - again no disrespect to Oscar - but certainly an entertaining afternoon, albeit one which Sainz and Perez, in particular, will be ruing for some time.
The Mexican is proof that the Red Bull is improved, which begs the question, 'what happened to his teammate?'
That said, with Norris also having a difficult weekend this does appear to have opened up the championship nicely.
In just 7 days we're in Singapore, a circuit where Red Bull has traditionally struggled.
Should be interesting.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.