FORMULA 1 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX...2021...QUALIFYING...... ▄▀▄▀▄▀ SPOILERS ▀▄▀▄▀▄

On this circuit again, Ferrari is faster than Red Bull, which is surprising.
I was expecting Verstappen on pole, but maybe he was more careful after yesterday.

Second circuit where Mercedes seems unable to heat the tyres quickly enough to be in the right range.
Could it be better after a few laps in the race?
Bottas didn't benefit of a good tow like Hamilton. Mercedes must know that.

 

We shall see...


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I really struggle to understand how you hate him so much [emoji23]


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Wolff explains why Hamilton was given a tow by Bottas

http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/776306/Wolff_explains_why_Hamilton_was_given_a_tow_by_Bottas/

 

Because he isn't Gilles Villeneuve !

 

Tsunoda makes Honda happy.

So what if Pete Gasly beats him like a dusty rug on the clothes line. He makes your number #1 supporter happy.

In life, you have to weigh the good with the bad.

Wait . . . . Are you saying Helmut Marko hates Pete? If so, you'll have to explain that one.

Thanks.

 

For missing the pit entrance? Seems harsh. But rules be rules . . .

 

Well done Charles next step a Win on Sunday

 

+1 for Gasly - he needs to be away from the negative idiocy of Horner and Marko.

 

I’ll have another look. Think he would have needed to do the monster mash.

 

I'm super impressed with Chuck and squad's qualifying efforts. But . . .

I don't think the Ferrari has the power to stay a second ahead of the pack so he won't be swallowed up once DRS is activated. And, as others have mentioned, their tyre/pit stop strategy is frequently poor.

Trust me, I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I'm just not confident enough to say that Chuck can win this. I do hope I'm wrong.

 

It's hard for me to agree Ferrari is faster here; Charles did benefit greatly off a Lewis tow. But, I think it's that Charles & Carlos are just far more comfortable with their cars and usually come out displaying their pace unlike Red Bull & Merc. who will dilly dally. Max is clearly at full understanding of his car, but I think Sergio gets a bit inconsistent & that's where Ferrari splits the 2.

 

It has been said by several pundits that after careful selection, Marko decides who he thinks deserves promotion to Red Bull.

If after a while they get rejected by Christian Horner and sent back to Alpha Tauri/Toro Rosso, it's a slap in the face for Marko.

He then takes a dislike to them and do his utmost to get rid of them.

Kvyat, Gasly, Albon, there is a pattern there. I read in a French newspaper that Gasly is discreetly looking for another seat for next year.

 

the Ferrari has tire graining issues here so they will have problems later in the race.

RB did not have the benefit of finishing their final Q3 laps but they will be fine on race pace; in any event this isn’t Monaco-there is room to pass and you know that there will be safety cars here so strategy is important. BTW Binotto isn’t on the pit wall anymore(Good).

 

Marko hinders RedBull overall. He is hardly helping. They did zero for 7+ years with a joke of a driver selection roundabout and keep their jobs. RedBull need team management not Max management.

 

I agree, but it seems that Helmut Marko is the one who gets Dieter Mateschitz' attention when it comes to important decisions.

He is higher in the Red Bull hierarchy than both Christian Horner and Franz Totz (in fact, he recruited Horner!).

 

it seems that the use of simulation tools has progressed greatly at Ferrari.
They are more and more often in the right window of use of the tyres.
Very promising for next year when the new simulator will be ready.

 

Hamilton’s Merc was consistently purple in sector 3. That’s where all of the passing will occur.

 

Interesting take. Merc has problems with low-speed corners/tire heat, but the car was decent in sectors 1 & 2. It was doing all of its damage in sector 3, iirc (high-speed sector). I think Hamilton will be in the mix for the win vs simply damage control. I’ll admit I didn’t watch the practice sessions so I’m possibly way off base. Hamilton’s body language was one of confidence after qualifying though.

it’s interesting that Bottas chose not to use the lower-drag wing they tested Friday. You trade off lose downforce in the first two sectors for higher speed in the last.

 

Alonso would never stand for that BS.

 

Correct. Marko has more power by design in the hierarchy it appears. Again the team made no great strides after its last title and both kept their jobs. They bring in drivers, move them fire them like its nothing. Horner is a loud mouth and has zero tact. But if Dieter is happy so be it yes?

 

Yes, Gasly was the driver of the day for me. Amazing he took the Alpha to 4th. I see him at Mclaren next year if Riccardo does not get his **** together ASAP.

 

He is fast. Appears to be less in trouble or causing issues/crash. A very good F1 driver. He deserves better than Marko and the RedBull garbage.