From pole position and with the relatively harmless Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson around him, Max Verstappen goes into the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan as a favorite on Sunday. The Dutchman is optimistic, but still has a big question mark.
And that question mark revolves around the tires and how long they will keep it up. “We have the softer tires here this weekend. So I hope the car is a bit kind to them,” Verstappen looked ahead on Saturday. “Our racing simulations on Friday looked good.”
A second victory in a row after the win two weeks ago in Monza would bring something into Formula 1. Of course, Oscar Piastri is still 94 points ahead of Verstappen and a comeback in the title fight is still unrealistic. Yet within the McLaren camp there are now the fear that the reigning world champion will definitely be back in the battle in the front, after an update in Monza and a new way to adjust the sometimes unmanageable Red Bull RB21.
Those thoughts are all far away at Verstappen. It is mainly concerned with how he can tame the difficult street circuit in Baku. “I just have to have a good start and then I hope I can ride my own race.” With that he naturally refers to the circles in the front and staying out of the misery. That turned out to be a tough task in Baku
‘Only’ once the Limburger won on the Caspian Sea, in 2021. In 2021, his deception by a flat tire in 2021 is of course still clear. In 2023, Verstappen went wrong due to an unacceptable safety car, something that can of course happen to him on Sunday. The starting grid has been shaken considerably, which normally leads to more duels, and those duels can end in tears again.
Sainz and Lawson are planning to fight
Around Verstappen there are already striking names, in the form of his former teammates. Sainz is quite optimistic from the second place that he can continue to run in the front. “If you look at our racing simulations, they were very good on Friday, so I hope we can go for it.”
Lawson was of course delighted with the third starting place, but remained realized. “We are of course aware of who we are going to race with, but we are going to fight to hold this place.”
Which McLaren is the first to come forward?
In addition, sooner or later Lawson must look in his mirrors. In principle, the Mercedes drivers behind him are already faster, but behind it, something orange and possibly also something red can pop up early in the race. The question is who comes first.
Normally, Lando Norris from seventh place. The Brit sees winning no longer happening, or at least called it “unrealistic.” Yet the McLaren drivers know that they have the speed to come forward. The only question is: who works better because of the traffic? Is that Norris or Piastri, who today showed from ninth place to catch up a lot more decisively than his teammate. In addition, the moment can of course also come when they focus on each other.
There is still a small chance that the McLaren drivers will also get it with the Ferraris, because they already showed at racing speed with the best. But due to a fault of Charles Leclerc and a disappointing pace by Lewis Hamilton, a tenth and twelfth place is a bad starting position for the Scuderia.
Starting from pole position and with the relatively harmless carlos sainz and liam lawson around him, Max Verstappen will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as the Favourite on Sunday. The Dutchman is Optimistic But Still Has One Big Question Mark.
And that Question Mark, As Always, Revolves around the Tires and How Long They Will Last. “We have the softer tires here this weekend, of course. So I hope the car is a little gentle on them,” Verstappen looked ahead on Saturday. “Our Race Simulations on Friday Looked Good.”
A Second Consecutive Victory After The Win Two Week Ago in Monza would Cause QUITE A STIR in Formula 1. Of course, Oscar Piastri is Still 94 Points Ahead of Verstappen, and a comeback in the Title Fight is Still Unreistic. Yet Within the McLaren Camp, there is now a fear that the reigning world champion is definitely back in the fight at the front, after an update in Monza and a new way to adjust the Sometimes-unmanageable Red Bull RB21.
Those Thoughts Are Still Far Away for Verstappen. He is mainly concerned with how he can tame the tricky street circuit in Baku. “I just need to have a good start, and then I hope I can drive my own race.” By that, the naturally mean turning the laps at the front and staying out of trouble. That has -orte to be a difficult task in Baku.
The ‘Limburger’ Has Only won Once At the Caspian Sea, in 2021. Especial His Disappointment Due to a Flat Tire in 2021 is Still Clearly in His Mind. In 2023, Verstappen Missed the Victory Due to An Unfavourable Safety Car, Something That Could Happen To Him Again on Sunday. The Starting Grid is Quite Shuffled, which normally leads to more duels, and those duels can end in Tears again.
Sainz and Lawson Plan to Fight
For Example, Remarkable Names Are Around Verstappen, in the Form of his Former Teammates. Sainz is QUITE Optimistic from Second Place that he can stay in the front. “If you look at our race simulations on Friday, they were very good, so I hope we can go for it.”
Lawson was, or Course, Already delighted with the third starting place but remained realistic. “We are, or course, aware or who we are going to racing again, but we are still going to fight to hold on to this place.”
WHY McLAREN Will Come Forward First?
Lawson will have to look in His Mirrors Sooner or later. In principle, The Mercedes Drivers Beind Him Are Already Faster, But Behind Them, Something Orange and Possible Something Red May also Appear Early in the Race. The Question is who will come forward first.
Normally that is Lando Norris from Seventh Place. The Brit No Longer Sees Winning Happening or At Least Called It “Unreistic.” Yet the McLaren drivers know that they have the speed to come forward. The only Question is: Who works Their Way through Traffic Better? Is that norris or piastri, who today, come from ninth place, has -or -show to overtake a lot more decisively than his teammate. Of course, the moment may also come quickly that they mainly focus on each other.
There is Still A Small Chance that the McLaren drivers also Get Into Trouble with the Ferraris, because they have alreaty show that they can keep up with the best at racing speed. But Due to a Mistake by Charles Leclerc and Disappointing Pace from Lewis Hamilton, A Tenth and Twelfth Place is a Bad Starting Position for the Scuderia.