Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Predictions and presentation

If we had to describe only one Grand Prix of the season with the word “unpredictable,” there is no doubt that many of us would mention Baku at the top of that list. Criticized when it was added to the calendar, it didn’t take long for it to become a favorite round for F1 enthusiasts.

The Grand Prix with multiple surprises

Spanning 6,003 kilometers, the urban circuit of Baku has an unusually designed track, notably featuring a very long straight line for the start/finish, which alone accounts for over a third of the circuit’s total length.

The track has 20 turns, with now famous sections such as turn 8 that brings the F1 cars into the twisty part of the city between the ramparts. It is a very diverse circuit with all kinds of turns, elevation changes, as well as overtaking zones at the end of each DRS straight.

Pirelli’s choices

The Italian manufacturer stays true to tradition by bringing the softest compounds (from C3 for the hardest tire to C5) to a street circuit. However, the numerous past punctures should encourage caution when it comes to different strategies for long stints.

Last year, Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll, who were respectively the leader and 4th at the time, were hardly affected within a few laps of each other.

We head to Baku this weekend for the #AzerbaijanGP! A street circuit with its own personality, it combines rapid straights with narrow and technical sections.

Here’s everything you need to know 👇https://t.co/j0Mnh3gqQs#F1 #Fit4F1 #Formula1 #Pirelli #Pirelli150 @F1 pic.twitter.com/CI4fnNLrWZ

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) June 6, 2022

Pérez for the double, Verstappen and Ferrari on the comeback.

In Monaco, it was indeed Mexican Sergio Pérez who fueled most of the discussions after the Grand Prix. Having a strong race and an aggressive strategy, “Checo”, usually Max Verstappen’s number two, transformed into a true leader to secure his third career victory.

Holding the title right here in Baku, the driver with the number 11 is well aware of being closely watched, with Red Bull fearing a repeat of the Webber/Vettel episode in 2010 when the Australian, the number 2 driver, outperformed his young German teammate.

But he also knows perfectly well that Max Verstappen will be part of the Azerbaijani Grand Prix. The Dutchman was leading the race last year before a puncture deprived him of victory.

On a motor-focused circuit, the Ferraris will obviously be expected, especially after the mishap in Monaco. Charles Leclerc has usually always been strong on this track, and Carlos Sainz somewhat reassured himself in the previous round by finishing second behind Pérez.

Translator: The editorial’s predictions: Bakou’s usual lottery!

It is of course one of the Grand Prix races that is least obvious to predict and where bets seem a little less “crazy” than usual.

Difficult it is, therefore, to see clearly in the reading of our predictions, where some see the big favorites imposing their will as in the majority of Grand Prix races, while others imagine small surprises with remarkable performances from George Russell, Bottas, and to a lesser extent, Carlos Sainz.

But we can also imagine a completely crazy Grand Prix, with the victory of a surprise guest like Lando Norris or a great performance from Vettel or Gasly like last year. Everything is possible in Baku!

The start of the Grand Prix will take place this Sunday from 1:00 PM. All the schedules to know can be found in the TV program.