Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Podium Example

The route in Baku is often referred to as a combination of Monaco and Monza, and this is exactly the case when the opposites not only complement each other, but are also more interesting than the original.

In Monaco, the most interesting session is qualifying, when the riders attack at the limit and risk an accident. In Monza the race is more interesting. Everything is interesting in Baku.

It’s amazing how organically this song, which debuted just six years ago, fit into the calendar. It doesn’t look like anything special – the Tilke-designed city circuit with many 90-degree turns, but the races on it are always spectacular and it’s impossible to predict the winner.

After the obligatory boring spring bunch from Spain and Monaco, we wait for two unpredictable Grands Prix in Baku and Montreal.

Sergio Perez, who won the Monaco Grand Prix last week, won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last year. Before him, Bottas, Hamilton, Riccardo and Rosberg won. And so far no one has won this race twice.

The pre-race will be the Formula 2 stage, which always proves to be interesting in Baku. Take the time to check out these races – VKontakte is full of options.

Last year the stage in Baku was closed – due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the authorities played it safe and decided to keep it without fans – and this was the last closed leg of the season.

Tickets are on sale this year, but despite the modest capacity of the stands, there is not a full house. Europeans are in no hurry to visit Azerbaijan – their podiums are enough, tickets from Russia have increased in price, there are not so many local spectators, but fans from Turkey love the podium.

In this season’s calendar, only four stages have no title sponsor – Monaco, Azerbaijan, Canada and Mexico City. According to rumors, in these four Azerbaijan Grand Prix is ​​the most expensive. And the sale of tickets is not fundamental here.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix completes the first third of the season. The joining of forces is clear. The intrigue is clear. The sequel is interesting.

The Italian press is outraged. Before the eyes of the whole world, Ferrari is missing its best chance in years. With the best car. With a great rider. At Ferrari they are losing momentum, although they should have been in the lead, including in the Constructors’ Championship. And for two races on circuits more suitable for Red Bull.

For two weeks, fans discussed how to miss the win in Monaco, where it is impossible to overtake by occupying the entire front row of the grid. In addition, the team leader and the owner of the pole did not even make it to the podium. No problem with the car. Without technical problems. Just because of a mistake in the strategy. And to remember the weekend when Ferrari didn’t make such mistakes at the decisive moment is extremely difficult.

Such a number of mistakes can only be explained by the incredible pressure on those who make decisions during the race. There is a feeling that their hands are literally shaking from the incredible responsibility. That there is not only a plan for the race, but also suitable analysts who are able to predict the generalized actions of rivals. And the team is almost always the victim.

Red Bull is the opposite. With a slightly slower car, but a much more confident team, they are moving towards the title with such vigor that there is almost no doubt about victory – although there are still 15 Grands Prix before the end of the season. Yes, things can still change, but there is no sense that these will be changes in Ferrari’s favour. It needs a strong hand and other people in leadership. Someone like Montezemolo. And the best possible strategist is a key success factor when the battle is nearly even.

An interesting weekend awaits us!