The intricate streets of the Azerbaijani capital are home to a modern classic that pilots like and also serve to claim
The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is considered a continuation of the European round, although strictly speaking there is some doubt as to whether it should be included in the Old Continent. Under the dark veil of the whitewashing of a quasi-dictatorial regime, the streets of the capital Baku are home to a modern classic that has always delivered great racing to drivers and fans alike.
Until the arrival of Saudi Arabia on the calendar, the Azeri event was happy to be the fastest urban circuit. Speeds of over 350 km/h were reached on a circuit made up of two well-differentiated parts: an industrial estate that would be no different from any circuit populating other competitions, such as Formula E or circuits already disused, such as the Valencia Street Circuit ; and a passage through the old town of the country’s capital, with a spectacular 13th-century wall where the pilots must risk their lives not to end up against the wall.
In the past countless drivers have known what it is like to stay out of the race for a corner, a brake pass or an illogical overtaking attempt like the one Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton played a few years ago that ended with a crash of first over second . Baku is also a perfect place for revivals, as Fernando Alonso showed in 2021.
There is no evil that lasts a hundred years or a bad sports series that does not stop at some point. For Fernando Alonso, the difficult start to his Formula 1 season marked a turning point when he arrived in Baku. A spectacular start and a more than reliable race gave him what had been his best position in the race until a few appointments later, a sixth place which he would now sign with eyes closed.
For the Spaniard, this is a circuit that could come in very handy. As happened in Monaco, the previous appointment, the urban circuits are where the hands of the driver count more than the car, although the lack of power of the Alpine A522 will be noticeable on the long straights (including the two DRS zones). This is just one of the differences in a track that, as Alonso recalled in the previous one, allows you to see a show.
“Baku is a track where it is very possible to overtake. In my last three races there I’ve managed to get quite a few positions during the race, so it’s very different from Monaco in that respect. It has a mix of high and low speed corners and a very long straight, so you have to be prepared for this setup. It will be interesting to see how the 2022 cars perform on this track. Moreover, Saturday does not necessarily determine your race and a safety car can completely change the order,” warns the two-time Spanish world champion. Alonso, just twenty days after his 41st birthday, faces the challenge of continuing to add. For the first time this year, he has chained two consecutive races in the top ten and in a weekend where he could become the third historic driver with the most points in history.
Meanwhile, ahead – bar almost a miracle that Alonso won’t be in those circumstances – there is much to decide. Sergio Perez’s win in Monaco made it clear that Red Bull will take every opportunity that Ferrari allows him, either because of a terrible strategic decision or because of a driver’s problems, such as an accident or breakdown. Charles Leclerc was let off the podium at home, confirming for another year that he is still cursed by his neighbors, and arrives in Baku, eager for revenge. Max Verstappen got him more points, but the Scuderia man knows he can get him. Not for nothing, for the Dutchman this is a circuit with an unfortunate memory, as he had to leave the race in 2021 due to a wheel fracture.
In this battle of the titans, Carlos Sainz wants to win the prize, who is great on urban circuits, and whose challenge is not only to achieve his long-awaited first victory in Formula 1, but to silence the growing voices that places like a little squire next to his partner. The data works against him, but it can be both a motivational incentive and a record if he doesn’t manage it properly: he is the only one of the top four (Ferrari and Red Bull) not to have a win. And you have no room to get lost. In a circuit like this, the Mercedes, which seem to have recovered their pulse somewhat, could be a clear alternative. Will George Russell’s run in the top five continue or will a Lewis Hamilton hit the table that needs the adrenaline rush of a podium finish?
Source: La Verdad
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