Official 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

Round 8 and we’re in Baku, after a surprisingly enjoyable Monaco race. It will be interesting to see how Perez goes; another win and RB may need to start taking some decisions. There’s big pressure on Schumacher and Ricciardo this weekend.

My money is on RB to win (can’t say which car), the long straights should suit it well.

Here’s to a great race.

Date(s): Friday 10 to Sunday 12 June 2022.

UK Broadcast Timings (and local time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Qualifying and the race are shown as highlights on Channel 4.





Live timing for all sessions available here:

https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html

Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:

https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-c...

Weather forecast:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/587084

Tyre options:

Pirelli has chosen the softest range of tyres, so C3, C4 and C5, the same as last year. The old Q2 tyre rule is scrapped for 2022.



2021 race result:



2021 Race Highlights



https://youtu.be/suZHkUxPzjE

Edited by Piginapoke on Sunday 5th June 17:30

[Scrump]

Thanks piginapoke

[Heathwood]

I don’t think anyone will see which why RB went in this one. I wouldn’t assume it’ll be Max that takes the glory however.

[Pflanzgarten]

Max was in a different league to Sergio last year before the red flag however, I’m going for;

Max
Charles
Sergio

[TheDeuce]

I predict a quali shunt for one of the four drivers in the fastest two cars. They'll be pushing each other all the way so it seems likely someone will slip..

[Byker28i]

I've gone Leclerc again, surely Ferrari can't shoot themselves in the foot again. I think Ferrari will have a fast car here.

Perez will be competitive now having been allowed to win and not concede his place so I suspect Max will want to try to reassert dominance in the team, whilst Perez will be trying hard not to let that happen... could be very interesting and we could see those small mistakes again that cost.

[vx220]

Byker28i said:

surely Ferrari can't shoot themselves in the foot again.

They do have a fair bit of previous!

[Aids0G]

Thanks again for the thread!

Really looking forward to this one, cant see past RB for the win but then the Ferrari might be able to pull enough gap in the fast sweepers before the main straight to defend a DRS pass.

Mercedes might go well with their good top speed, looking forward to the race!

[Sandpit Steve]

The race last year, where both of the championship contenders had defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. The ‘Brake Magic” incident being the biggest in-race screwup from Lewis in a decade, which with hindsight probably cost him the 2021 title.

I think it’s between Ferrari and RB again, with Leclerc as the favourite going into the weekend. It’ll be interesting to see how close Mercedes can get though, at a track where top speed is important down the longest ‘straight’ of the season.

[Adrian W]

as an optimist I'm going to say Mercedes have sorted it out and can take advantage of the long straight and be right up there, so GR for a podium

[HustleRussell]

Probably a Ferrari on pole but IMO this is a Verstappen win.

I also think this will be the last weekend where Mercedes are in a battle with the midfield teams as opposed to being clear as the 3rd fastest car, pursuing Ferrari and Red Bull. I reckon there's a Mercedes on the 2nd row again in Canada.

ETA: Would love a Sainz and Ricciardo redemption arc to the weekend. I think redemption for Sainz is beating Leclerc on merit, and for Danny Ric it means qualifying and racing next to Norris.

Edited by HustleRussell on Monday 6th June 14:11

[Snappy89]

According to RB Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan, Baku is going to be the "ultimate test" for their DRS fix which reared it's head in Spain.

Possibility RB end up being out of the running with a dodgy DRS, but I still expect a RB win, most likely Verstappen.

[Jasandjules]

I suspect this will be an easy Red Bull win. But I hope to be wrong. And I really, really hope Merc have got their act together now and have a fast enough car to fight for the pole and win. A six way battle all the way will be awesome.

[PhilAsia]

Thanks Piginapoke

If they have no problems, an RBR win for me. Max.

[Nova Gyna]

Assuming Ferrari doesn't push the self-destruct button again, I'm going for a Chuck Lecluck pole and victory.

And one of the Mercs to make it to the podium.

[Petrus1983]

Thanks piginapoke.

I genuinely love this race and it’s the only race on the current calendar that I haven’t been to but want to. I can imagine a strange result here - maybe Russell if they’re beginning to get on top of the car.

[Piginapoke]

Petrus1983 said:

Thanks piginapoke.

I genuinely love this race and it’s the only race on the current calendar that I haven’t been to but want to. I can imagine a strange result here - maybe Russell if they’re beginning to get on top of the car.

That would be a turn up! Merc is keen to downplay its chances in Baku though

[paulguitar]

Piginapoke said:

Petrus1983 said:

Thanks piginapoke.

I genuinely love this race and it’s the only race on the current calendar that I haven’t been to but want to. I can imagine a strange result here - maybe Russell if they’re beginning to get on top of the car.

That would be a turn up! Merc is keen to downplay its chances in Baku though

Neither Mercedes will win this Sunday. Let's at least be vaguely realistic.

[wevster]

paulguitar said:

Piginapoke said:

Petrus1983 said:

Thanks piginapoke.

I genuinely love this race and it’s the only race on the current calendar that I haven’t been to but want to. I can imagine a strange result here - maybe Russell if they’re beginning to get on top of the car.

That would be a turn up! Merc is keen to downplay its chances in Baku though

Neither Mercedes will win this Sunday. Let's at least be vaguely realistic.

Unless there's a safety car...

[kambites]

Verstappen -> Leclerc -> Perez for me. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the Mercs in fourth given the luck/mistakes which have come Sainz's way recently.