Azerbaijan Grand Prix Predictions
Guess who's back, back again, Baku's back, tell your friends
Pole Position
HE: Valtteri Bottas - Its time for Bottas to get another good result and I just have a funny feeling that Baku quali will produce a surprise result in the form of Valtteri Bottas.
BH: Lewis Hamilton – Well, he made a bit of a mess of both qualifying and the race last year, but normal service should be resumed here. He looked immense in Canada and he may well continue that good form on.
SS: Lewis Hamilton – It looks as if the Mercedes still has the better engine, if only marginally, so I think when Lewis drives down the M25, it’ll be a big enough difference to put him in pole.
1st place
HE: Lewis Hamilton - Building on his Canadian GP win, I think Hamilton will take the lead from his teammate and never look back. He needs to continue to close the gap to Vettel.
BH: Lewis Hamilton – If he leads into Turn 1 he may run away with it. Especially if Bottas can take 2nd and hold up Vettel. A win here for Hamilton will mean he’s won at every single circuit that’s been on the F1 calendar since 2014. That wouldn’t be a bad achievement and you can be sure that Hamilton be desperate to do it.
SS: Sebastian Vettel – I do think Ben has a very good point, if the Mercs can work together and Bottas is in second then they could run away with it, if Seb gets on the front row on the other hand, his starts have always been very good, that added to Ferrari’s improved strategy management could see them jump Lewis.
2nd place
HE: Sebastian Vettel - The German is playing the long game, another solid second place is on the cards for the 4 times champ this weekend, but he'll take it. Consistency wins championships and Vettel knows this.
BH: Sebastian Vettel – Vettel deserves a lot of respect after the recovery drive he pulled off in Canada, but can he get back to winning ways here? I’m leaning towards no, but another solid 2nd from Vettel wouldn’t be a disaster. This circuit allows cars to reach the highest of high speeds and they may be a slight disadvantage to Mercedes in this department.
SS: Lewis Hamilton – As we all know, it was not his race last year and Rosberg dominated from start to finish. Things are more equal and Lewis is still arguably the favourite to take the title at the end of the season, the dirty air will be too much here on the other hand for Lewis to pass Seb and the Mercs have not been strong enough in the pit lane war.
3RD PLACE
HE: Max Verstappen - Max is overdue a good result. He deserved a podium just for his start in Canada. Hopefully his car can hold together this weekend and give him a good result.
BH: Sergio Perez – Perez achieved third last year and I think it may be de ja baku and he’ll surprise again. Force India were right up there with Red Bull in Canada and I think they’ll be evenly matched again. This prediction is reliant on probably one retirement ahead of him, but with those wider cars going through the castle section, that’s more than possible.
SS: Max Verstappen - Fastest in practice, a lot of single file corners, and a man that can pull off overtakes where others wouldn’t dream. Max will throw it into third early on and he will hold onto it for the end.
Additional Predictions
HE: Lance Stroll wins.
BH: My prediction is that this will be our final predictions article together. Why? Because after Alonso is overtaken by Marcus Ericsson on the long straight I don’t think any of us will be up for living in this world any longer.
SS: Palmer - who knows what it takes at a street circuit - will accidentally drive straight through the doors of the Castle, and come straight out the other side in first whilst riding an AzerbaijLlama being chased by the royal guard. Alonso will be crowned a member of the royal family and king of Baku.
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