Preview | Can Ferrari fight back against Red Bull in Baku?

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Formula One teams will begin the fifth edition of the Azerbaijan GP this weekend. In 2017, the race was scheduled for the first time and Daniel Ricciardo in his Red Bull car emerged victorious. Subsequently, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were successively the winners on behalf of Mercedes.

In 2020, the organisation around the GP decided that the race weekend could not go ahead, but last season the event returned to the Formula One calendar. It was a sensational race, in which both Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen had to deal with a tyre blowout on the straight. Hamilton drove straight on the restart, finishing outside the points. Sergio Perez was the winner of the race and joined Sebastian Vettel and Pierre Gasly on the podium.

Baku City Circuit

The design of the street circuit in the capital of Azerbaijan was made by Hermann Tilke. The German, who designed several tracks around the world, created a circuit that has a length of six kilometres. The laps at the Baku City Circuit are driven counterclockwise by the drivers every year.

The track is characterised by a long straight along the coastline, while there are also several tight curve combinations to be found. Turns 8 to 12 in the 'castle section', for example, create a lot of tension on the track each year, where the drivers have to concentrate in order not to crash.

Formula 1 in 2022

After a very strong start by Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque had to leave the victories to Red Bull the last race weekends. Whereas Max Verstappen won no less than three races in a row, in Monaco, it was Sergio Perez who won the race.

For Leclerc, it is important to show what he can do again in Baku. The driver is now facing a gap of nine points in the world championship and cannot afford to let Verstappen get any further up the rankings.

However, both drivers must also take Perez into account. The Mexican is performing well this season and is only fifteen points behind Verstappen, while the difference with Leclerc is six points. Perez will be keen to continue his season in Baku.

Weather forecast

The drivers can get ready for three hot days this coming weekend. The temperatures will, according to Weather.com maximum of 25 to 30 degrees. Unlike Monaco, it looks like it will stay dry, so the wet tyres will not have to come out.

Prediction for the Grand Prix

The Azerbaijan GP looks set to be another battle between Ferrari and Red Bull. Where the Italian formation has impressed this season with the performance over one lap, the competitor now shows almost every race that it is better on Sunday.

However, the Italians are making rapid leaps forward with their updates and therefore seem to have a good chance of once again standing with the top prize in Azerbaijan. In doing so, Leclerc is the main candidate to make things difficult for Perez, while Carlos Sainz will be behind the scenes hoping for his first win of his career.

Timetable for the 2022 Miami Grand Prix [UK times] 

Friday

First free practice: 12:00 - 13:00

Second free practice: 15:00 - 16:00 hours

Saturday

Third free practice: 12:00 - 13:00 hours

Qualifying: 15:00 - 16:00 hours

Sunday

Race: 12:00 - 14:00 hours