[ferrarirules]

Formula 1 2018 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX (April 27th - 29th, 2018)









Track Layout



Track Information



Race Timings



Tyre Selection

Additional Information

What a topsy turvy race it was the Chinese grand prix. This season is turning out to be a stunner. Formula 1 arrives at Baku - A Street circuit with long straights. As seen in the last races of this season, Ferrari have found an answer to Mercedes on one lap pace. And Redbull have the race pace to challenge Merc and Ferrari.
Ferrari will be wanting to convert a strong qualifying performance to a strong result.
Mercedes will be wanting to win a race with this being longest will winless streak since the turbo era.
Redbull would want to build on result from the last race have another strong race. Largely depends on reliability and Verstappen getting his head out of his ***

It will be an interesting race. Eagerly waiting for Sunday.

For further information - https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/races/2018/Azerbaijan.html

Race and all other sessions will be telecast on Star Sport Select 2 HD/Star Sport Select 2

Image Credits - Motorsport.com and Formula1.com

[Fullrevs]

Practise 1 times:
1 Bottas Mercedes U 1:44.242
2 Ricciardo Red Bull SS 1:44.277 0.035
3 Perez Force India SS 1:45.075 0.833
4 Hamilton Mercedes U 1:45.200 0.958
5 Ocon Force India SS 1:45.237 0.995
6 Verstappen Red Bull SS 1:45.559 1.317
7 Alonso McLaren U 1:46.465 2.223
8 Sirotkin Williams SS 1:46.480 2.238
9 Gasly Toro Rosso SS 1:46.492 2.250
10 Vettel Ferrari U 1:46.513 2.271
11 Stroll Williams SS 1:46.590 2.348
12 Hartley Toro Rosso SS 1:46.747 2.505
13 Hulkenberg Renault SS 1:46.749 2.507
14 Grosjean Haas U 1:46.856 2.614
15 Raikkonen Ferrari U 1:46.861 2.619
16 Leclerc Sauber U 1:46.875 2.633
17 Ericsson Sauber U 1:47.073 2.831
18 Magnussen Haas U 1:47.434 3.192
19 Vandoorne McLaren U 1:47.967 3.725
20 Sainz Renault SS 1:48.741 4.499

The Ferrari's barely ventured out. Complaining of severe lack of rear end grip.

[sajands]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

Practise 1 times:
3 Perez Force India SS 1:45.075 0.833
5 Ocon Force India SS 1:45.237 0.995

Nice to see Force India making some progress, I guess they got some aero upgrades.

[Cyborg]

Thanks Ferrarirules!

IST timings:

Cheers

[fz_rider]

Very surprising not see a Mercedes in top 3 in FP2. Despite putting up most laps in the session, Vettel ends P11. And he's taking blame. It will be interesting qualifying, after watching RedBull being so strong.

On a lighter note, Vettel and Hamilton trying to convey to Ricciardo that he is doing better at where he is. No need to switch

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by fz_rider

On a lighter note, Vettel and Hamilton trying to convey to Ricciardo that he is doing better at where he is. No need to switch

Good one!

Even seriously speaking, I don't think either of them want a driver of Daniel's calibre as their teammate. He will not bow down and accept second class status and I am sure we all remember how on equal machinery he regularly came out on top of Vettel during their Red bull days.

Cheers

[Vid6639]

Lewis Hamilton trying out a new aero package with the halo for the Baku race:

[sgiitk]

How come Vettel is slow in both the sessions.

[jraj]

You can be quick . But speed without consistency and ability to up the ante when it matters, can take you only so far.

Today we saw why Vettel has 4 WDC titles and Kimi has only one. He blew up a pole chance today. First two sectors he was in the lead and blew it all up.

[fz_rider]

First attempt was enough for Vettel to secure third consecutive pole. Kimi was on blistering lap, similar to one by Hamilton in Australia. But he came in too hot, made a mistake in second last corner.
Only advantage in first few laps for Raikonnen, is that he'll start on fastest Tyre. He has to make a clean lap.
For a change, Hulkenberg will start P14 instead of P7. He has a grid penalty.
Front row start for Vettel and Hamilton, that's what fans have been waiting for.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

How come Vettel is slow in both the sessions.

Based on qualifying results he was obviously sandbagging!

Cheers

[SilentEngine]

Originally Posted by jraj

You can be quick . But speed without consistency and ability to up the ante when it matters, can take you only so far.

Today we saw why Vettel has 4 WDC titles and Kimi has only one. He blew up a pole chance today. First two sectors he was in the lead and blew it all up.

Yesterday's P6 is totally down to him, perhaps a case of pushing too much. But unfair to compare Kimi and Seb who had their best years in different eras of F1.

What's not understandable was his tyre selection with only one set of super softs, which he never got to practice on and was left to try for the first time in Q3. That kind of broke his rhythm. Little details like this make the difference in the end.

Only way for him now is to hope for some action in front at the start and be in a position to benefit from that. He *has* to make his ultrasofts work at the start.

[fz_rider]

It's going to be interesting. Kimi will start on Ultra and will probably move on to Soft. He has no Super softs left, he junked it in Q2. If he is able to get a good undercut, he'll make up quite good places. Hope it's a good race, not a snooze fest.

[fz_rider]

Safety car on the first lap itself. Ocon and Sirotkin out on the first lap. Ocon and Raikonnen come together, Raikonnen pushed back to P12. Alonso too loses place.

[fz_rider]

What a race, again Azerbaijan didn't disappoint. Safety car in first lap. Both RedBulls taking each other out. Grojean crashing under safety car.
Bottas leading on the end of second safety car. Vettel flat spotting on the first attempt. Bottas puncturing the Tyre over debri, handing over win to Hamilton.
Raikonnen and Perez complete the podium.
Vettel hands over the championship to Hamilton finishing P4.
P6 for Lecrec, amazing drive by youngster.
Ferrari leads the championship by four points.