Baku GP Race Report

It's a long lap, nearly 2 minutes at Baku, so only 51 of them.  You can certainly feel the length.  My prediction for the race (usually posted on Twitter and Instagram @pitstopprincess) was Verstappen for the win if Red Bull get the strategy right, Hamilton if not and Gasly for the surprise contender.

LeClerc maintained the lead from pole for a couple of laps, but Ferrari's lack of horsepower on the straight finally gave Hamilton the chance to use the tow and DRS to take first place.  It took Verstappen far longer than expected to replicate this for second place.

Russell and Giovanizzi went for a Lap 2 pit stop to get the obligatory change of tires done.  10 laps in LeClerc pitted and that was him out of contention.  Everyone was playing for the undercut, Alonso and Norris pitting very early to get past Bottas.    Given it's such a long lap, why is getting out from the pits into traffic such an issue?

On Lap 11 Sainz took a trip to the run off area, locking up on the hard tires.  At the same time Gasly held up Hamilton's release from his pit stop, giving him a 4.6 second stop (shockingly long!).  With Red Bull holding the season record for quickest pit stop (1.93 seconds), Verstappen was able to overtake Hamilton in the pits.  Could Red Bull manage the same for Perez?  No a 4.3 second stop for him, yet still overtakes Hamilton, we were braced for  whining.  In the mean time, four time world champion Vettel became the leader of the race.  It almost felt like the television director didn't know who to follow and finally realised he should be giving the Aston Martin some airtime.

It seemed like Hamilton had been given a glimmer of hope for the race and then the reality of how much Mercedes have struggled at this circuit kicked in.

That was the first third of the race.

They followed each other through the amazing architecture for a while...Mazepin followed Sainz down the escape road later.

Then suddenly, on Lap 31, we saw Stroll spinning around on the main straight, debris everywhere, with a tire failure.  It was quite a while until he was able to get out of the car.  And sounded very shocked and shaken on the team radio.

Obviously a safety car presents the teams with options to change tires.  Mercedes and Hamilton ummed and ahhed and then did nothing.  Alonso thought he would try softs.  Schumacher too but they didn't put them on correctly.

At the restart, Vettel took LeClerc then tussled with and took Gasly ("That's not possible!") and Perez gave Hamilton the tow to attack both himself and Verstappen.

Then with 5 laps to go...a huge spin for Verstappen, who was in the lead, with another tire failure.  Furiously kicked by Max when he got out of the car.  With two tire failures, could there be any more...  The team looked absolutely devastated.  After the safety car was considered, the race was red flagged and suspended.  The cars lined up in the paddock.  Knowing he was on camera, live to millions and race control, Christian Horner explained to Dieter Materschitz (Head of Red Bull Sport) that it was the exact same failure as Stroll, I don't know why Materschitz hadn't figured this out already...it's almost like it was played out for the TV.  I can see this Netflix Drive to Survive episode already.  Red Bull got on the radio to the FIA (still loving this new for 2021 feature) to ask for a red flag and all cars allowed to change tires.  Given that they were still on for the win with Perez, it seems generous and caring.

Williams completely ballsed up the red flag, telling Latifi to stay out when they meant come in.  A simple mistake to make.  I'm sure that will please all the new investors.

After a long wait they had a short, sprint race of two laps.  Perez made an awful start and my heart sank as Hamilton moved ahead of him, then he didn't manage his brakes and went straight on...a swell of emotion.  With Verstappen out through no fault of his, Hamilton's exit neutralises the potential world championship points deficit.  I held my breath for two laps and there was the podium with no Verstappen, no Hamilton, no Ferraris, no Bottas.  Indeed Bottas finished around 52nd.  Finally Red Bull have a driver that can bring the points home and hopefully we have someone who won't be constantly questioned until they are driven out of the team.  Alongside him on the podium was Vettel (his familiar "yes yes yes yes yes" on the radio was actually heart-warming, unlike that horrible period from 2010 onwards), finally earning his wages and Gasly, my prediction for the surprise contender.

It was a bittersweet race for Aston Martin, as they scored their first podium but the owner's son had a huge shunt and brought no points home.  Also bittersweet for Perez, scoring his first podium and win for Red Bull whilst the golden boy had a huge shunt and brought no points home.