F1 Notes From Nicholas Frankl
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The top four all used a two-stop strategy, with the Mercedes drivers (in third and fourth) making their first stops under the first virtual safety car period: a few laps before the Red Bull drivers made their initial stops.
Today was one of the hottest days of the Baku weekend, with the race getting away at 3pm local time, when track temperatures were in excess of 50 degrees centigrade. This made thermal degradation a risk for the softer compounds.
The majority of the drivers started on the medium tyre, with five starting on the hard. The highest-placed of them was McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, who finished seventh.
It’s clear that Ferrari has power and pace but at the cost of engine reliability and this, combined with poor strategic decision making - like in Mónaco - is chipping away at Charles LeClerc's chances of challenging for the championship. The team in Maranello will need to focus on race performance as headlines on Saturdays don’t win races or world championships.
Mercedes are still struggling with a far-from-sorted car, even with a lucky 3rd & agonizing 4th - for a clearly handicapped Hamilton, who may be unable to compete in Montreal - and who must be wondering if his heart, as well as damaged back, are really into this 2023 flight.
Red Bull sealed a one-two finish, with Max Verstappen leading home his team mate Sergio Perez, becoming the sixth different winner in Azerbaijan. Both drivers completed an identical strategy: starting on the P Zero Yellow medium tyre then completing two stints on the P Zero White hard, taking advantage of the second virtual safety car to make their final pit stops. Under the virtual safety car, a pit stop takes around half the time it would under green flag conditions. The top four all used a two-stop strategy, with the Mercedes drivers (in third and fourth) making their first stops under the first virtual safety car period: a few laps before the Red Bull drivers made their initial stops. Today was one of the hottest days of the Baku weekend, with the race getting away at 3pm local time, when track temperatures were in excess of 50 degrees centigrade. This made thermal degradation a risk for the softer compounds. The majority of the drivers started on the medium tyre, with five starting on the hard. The highest-placed of them was McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, who finished seventh.
It’s clear that Ferrari has power and pace but at the cost of engine reliability and this, combined with poor strategic decision making - like in Mónaco - is chipping away at Charles LeClerc's chances of challenging for the championship. The team in Maranello will need to focus on race performance as headlines on Saturdays don’t win races or world championships.
Mercedes are still struggling with a far-from-sorted car, even with a lucky 3rd & agonizing 4th - for a clearly handicapped Hamilton, who may be unable to compete in Montreal - and who must be wondering if his heart, as well as damaged back, are really into this 2023 flight.
Red Bull has the momentum, the drivers, and a confident team and although we have the majority of the season to run I wouldn't bet against Max as double World Champion by Abu Dhabi.
Best Wishes
Nicholas Red Bull has the momentum, the drivers, and a confident team and although we have the majority of the season to run I wouldn't bet against Max as double World Champion by Abu Dhabi.
Best Wishes Nicholas
