No big loss. A lousy circuit and I doubt the teams will be mourning this.

Except of course we do not know which track will fill in. it was to be Russia>Singapore>Japan, which is fairly manageable from a logistics point of view considering the massive distances involved. If they need to fly to Italy or Germany or wherever instead, and then on to Japan it makes it more of an issue.

We will probably see more schedule juggling before the season's out.

Q2 was amazing with just .035 covering the top five cars. I cannot recall ever seeing that many cars that close in qualifying. Remarkable.

Q3 results are a bit more spread out, and not great for Red Bull, but not bad either. Baku has overtaking, so Max sitting third isn't ideal, but not the end of the world either. I suspect he has the fastest car but the mayhem in Q3 prevented him from showing it.

Not sure where Hamilton pulled out these laps. Great driving, and especially with Bottas well off the pace in tenth. Perez was super fast all weekend, topping the charts at times. And then when it matters most he can't put it together. Very disappointing, but he is ahead of Bottas which is good. But had Bottas matched Hamilton then Perez's result would be bad, once again. I expect his race pace will be good, but he can't keep stacking the deck against himself.

Ferrari feel like they are sandbagging us. Their improvement is stunning and each weekend now you expect this will be the one where they revert to form and boom, right near the top, and that makes back to back poles for Leclerc. If Fez got zero poles this season I wouldn't have been surprised. but two in two races? Unreal.

But the real amazing results are Alpha Tauri. Out of nowhere. Tsunoda was fourth in Q2, and while he slipped to eighth in Q3, Gasly pulled out all the stops to claim that fourth spot on the grid. Fantastic. Gasly is a driver I find myself pulling for, and it's great to see his hard work and obvious improvement pay off with a second row.

Alonso had a good session, ninth. he'll be encouraged by this result. Ricciardo is beginning to look like a lost cause. I know changing teams is a challenge. New car, different handling and balance, new engineers. But he's had a couple months now to get up to speed and has yet to impress. I can't believe he won't come good, but I think it should have happened already. McLaren are in a tight tussle with Ferrari, and like Perez at Red Bull, they need their second car in the mix not only for points, but also for the strategy options it opens up. Thirteenth is not good enough. It has to be frustrating for him and the whole team, particularly when you look at Lando's good results every weekend.

One interesting thing about this event so far is the fact that the best times are well off what the top cars were running in 2019. Bottas took pole that year with a 1:40.495. Leclerc was seven tenths off that pace, suggesting to me the grip levels at the track are significantly lower. A dirty track? Temperature? A different tire compound? I would have expected the fastest cars to at least match Bottas' record. It looked throughout the weekend that grip is pretty low.

All in all not a bad session for Red Bull even if neither driver could put it all together for Q3. As a team they have a starting edge over Silver Arrows due to Bottas' pedestrian effort. In the grand scheme this is good, even if I would have preferred each car to be a little higher in the order. But Baku serves up plenty of drama and carnage (four red flags in Q3 is a record) and it's all there for the taking.

Lando got a grid penalty for remaining on track for Giovinazzi's red flag. But they reduced it to three places due to having so little time to react as he was already on the start-finish straight. A bit odd, that, but I think it's fair for that reason, and I'm OK with the call.

That means Perez, Tsunoda and Alonso all move up one spot, which is great for Red Bull of course as it puts one more grid position between Perez and Bottas.


Hamilton's found that pace it turns out, by switching rear wings to a lower downforce one. That worked out well for one lap pace on an open track, but could possibly hamper him in the race, in the twisty sectors, and especially in the dirty air in the opening stages.

Wonderful mix of car and drivers on the grid. :Kaleun_Applaud:

Max Verstappen looked set to take his first first-ever Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory before he crashed out from the lead with just five laps to go – giving Sergio Perez a second career victory, as Lewis Hamilton locked up on the penultimate lap to finish 16th in a hugely dramatic race in Baku.

For the first time this season, Charles Leclerc led away from pole, but he was passed for the lead by Lewis Hamilton with no need for DRS, so strong was the tow, on Lap 2. Verstappen then swept by the Ferrari man on Lap 7.

Verstappen took the lead after a crucial sequence of pit stops, Hamilton starting that sequence on Lap 12 with a slow switch for hards thanks to traffic in the pit lane. Verstappen pitted a lap later and emerged first, followed by Perez who split the championship rivals. And the Dutchman seemed to have victory in the bag, mastering a Lap 35 Safety Car restart after Lance Stroll's terrifying accident, when the Aston Martin driver's left-rear tyre appeared to gave way on the pit straight.

That was until Verstappen himself, comfortably in the lead on Lap 47, spun and crashed after an apparent tyre issue of his own. Unhurt, but shaken, his crash triggered the Safety Car, which turned into a red flag that suspended the race on Lap 48. The race resumed with a standing start 35 minutes later on Lap 50, giving us two laps of flat-out action, the field all having switched tyres during the stoppage.

Perez would lead Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Pierre Gasly and Leclerc off the line for the re-start. Hamilton got away well, his nose seemingly ahead of Perez's, but the Briton locked-up heavily and went into the Turn 1 run-off. He finished 16th, leaving Perez in the lead, Vettel second and Gasly – having held off a charging Leclerc in the final laps – to take the final podium place.

Vettel started 11th but finished a brilliant second as he pitted 18 laps later than anyone else, and emerged sixth. On the re-start after Stroll's crash, he took P4 off Leclerc and Gasly, and was promoted to the podium by Verstappen's retirement.

Leclerc finished fourth as his Lap 10 undercut attempt on Gasly didn't pay off. While he tried to wrestle P3 off the Frenchman after the final re-start, his efforts were in vain and the Ferrari driver finished fourth.

Lando Norris shrugged off a three-place penalty and undercut his rivals having started P9 to take fifth ahead of Fernando Alonso, both movers in that final re-start, while AlphaTauri's rookie Yuki Tsunoda started seventh and finished there having pitted early on Lap 9.

Rounding out the top 10 was Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in P8 – who bounced back on hard tyres after a huge Lap 11 lock-up that left him as low as 15th – Daniel Ricciardo, up to ninth from 13th, and Alpine's Fernando Alonso in P10 having badgered the P9 McLaren driver throughout the race.

But the headline story was Verstappen's retirement from the lead, and Hamilton's shocking late lock-up that cost him a shot at re-taking the championship lead after this astonishing Azerbaijan Grand Prix finish.

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I have many thoughts on the race, but I'll save it, no one engages with my commentary anyway :)

So one word

Cruel

Should be a crackin race between the two at the font in France today.

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Red Bull took their third consecutive win of the season at a cracking French Grand Prix courtesy of Max Verstappen, who passed Lewis Hamilton with two laps to go to claim the thirteenth victory of his career, Hamilton finishing second as the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez completed the podium.

In a mirror of the Spanish Grand Prix – when Mercedes out-strategised Red Bull to claim the victory – Verstappen stopped twice to Hamilton’s one-stop, with the Dutchman then using his fresher tyres to close up to the Mercedes, passing on Lap 52 of 53 to check out for his third win of the year.

It more than made up for Verstappen losing out to Hamilton from pole at the race start, Verstappen taking the win as well as the extra point for fastest lap – with the result also marking the first time Red Bull have won three races on the bounce in the turbo-hybrid era.

Behind, Valtteri Bottas ended up a disgruntled fourth behind Perez, having complained to Mercedes that he was ignored when he advised them to switch to a two-stop, as Red Bull did with Verstappen.

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Max Verstappen gave Red Bull the perfect start to the first of two races on home soil by delivering a scintillating lap to fend off Mercedes duo Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton to snatch pole position for the Styrian Grand Prix - his second in a row.

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Again, I like how the FIA is enforcing track limits this year. Sure it's hurting some drivers but too bad, stay on the track. In the eighties you rarely crossed the white line because you'd break your car or put a wheel on the grass and then break your car.

Bottas is feeling picked on with his three place grid penalty for spinning his car in the pit lane. Too bad, people can get injured and the FIA is making that message clear.

And I find it refreshing that Mercedes is looking a bit confused in a season where they have a spending cap and aren't dominating the field. It's making better races to watch.

Vettal seems much more relaxed and appers to be enjoying driving more than he has been of late with Ferrari and it's nice to see. Alonso is right there as well just having fun being there with nothing to prove.

How about George Russell just missing out on Q3? Great drive for Williams and nice to see for the venerable team.

Alpha Tauri are also doing great and Tsunoda kept his nose clean for qualifying although Bottas called him an idiot for messing up his hot lap at turn three.

Still early days in the season but if Hamilton fails to win this afternoon I'll start to wonder if we will have a new champion come the end of the season.

Still 2/3 of the points to play for, but Red Bull have come storming back from their slow start in the first few races. Having Checo in the mix at the front makes a huge difference.

Paul Ricard was a big litmus test and when Red Bull came through looking so good there it showed they'll be in this fight all year long. If France had gone like Spain then I'd be leaning toward Mercedes over the course of the calendar.

Red Bull just look like the better package at the moment. And with teams focusing on 2022 perhaps there's less potential for bigger shifts in relative performance between teams. We'll see. But the signs all look good for Red Bull.

It's really been a great season so far and I'm hoping it's tight all the way.

Lando continues to impress and Ricciardo a mess. If Ricciardo was anywhere near Lando right now they'd be well clear of Fez. And Ferrari are all at sea at times and it's a dramatic vein in the season's narrative, whether they'll be on pole or retreating through the field from week to week.

Vettel's made me eat my words, and Budda has it right. He seemed so disinterested in his last year with Fez, he was a mess, lacked focus and made a lot of unforced errors. But he's really been good over the last few races and looks rejuvenated. I think he has also elevated the entire team with his approach to practice, debriefs and car setup. I was critical of Aston Martin making this move and giving Perez the boot. But it's paid off I think for all concerned. Stroll will benefit too with an on-song world champion to learn from.

I'm pulling for Max today of course, but for me the thing I am hoping to see is Russell scoring. No driver deserves it more at this point, he's so good on Saturdays, and deserves to have that pay. And he still gets free tyre choice even bumped to tenth, right? He's never been in a better position (aside from Sakir at the end of last year of course). Williams will be interesting to watch. You can feel they are about to return to the battle. The new owners seem committed and capable of making that happen. There's a different vibe about them at the moment.

Red Bull Ring is a fantastic track, and this should be a cracking race.

I think the jury is out and Red Bull has the better car this year as well as a great driver which has been the Mercedes win formula for years. Lewis is certainly getting his wish welcoming a tighter championship. I believe this is the longest gap between P1 and P2 at this track ever, or at least in it's current form and the first time since 2014 that Mercedes has failed to win four races in a row.

No real strategy mistakes and Mercedes did opt for the fastest lap at the end this time. I never understood why they didn't do that with Bottas in France.

Norris is showing very strong again while Russell's luck fizzles away.

No safety cars again!

As I suspected/feared.

Max Verstappen claimed a second win in seven days with victory at the Styrian Grand Prix, enjoying a dominant lights-to-flag performance at the Red Bull Ring over the Mercedes of title rival Lewis Hamilton, as Valtteri Bottas claimed third ahead of Sergio Perez.

Following on from his win in the French Grand Prix, Verstappen led away from pole position at a dry Red Bull Ring, leading every lap of the race to claim his 14th career win, and his third at his team’s Red Bull Ring home track.

The Dutchman duly stretched his lead over Hamilton to 18 points in the drivers’ standings, after the Mercedes driver was unable to offer any serious answer to Verstappen’s pace on race day, although he was at least able to limit the damage after taking the bonus point for fastest lap thanks to a late pit stop.

Having started P5 after his grid drop for spinning in the pit lane on Friday, Bottas was able to claim third, holding off a late charge by the second Red Bull of Perez for the Finn’s first podium since the Spanish Grand Prix.

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Not exactly the cracking race I anticipated. Max had too much pace for the field. He lapped everyone aside from Perez, Bottas and Hamilton. Now normally I'd say you can't take too much from one race, that the next track presents different challenges and everyone is starting over in a sense. But of course we're right back at it next round at the A1 Ring next weekend. That shades well for Red Bull.

I expected Mercedes to have better race pace, but Max was already out of DRS range within a lap or two and it was hardly in doubt from there. His radio transmissions give me ulcers because he sounds so distraught on the radio and I expect disaster is imminent since I don't understand half of what he saying.

Perez needed another lap or two but that's how it goes. His first stop took too long and with Bottas running a good race it was just a bridge too far wasn't it? Maybe if they had brought him in a lap or two sooner it would have been enough, but fourth is a good result and ensured Red Bull extended their lead, if only by three points.

Lando solid again. It was interesting to see how uninterested he was in defending against the Red Bulls and Mercs. But McLaren aren't in a fight with those guys so in a strategic sense it seems smart. But I'd still rather see everyone fighting for position. Ricciardo again disappoints, but I guess his ICE had issues and cost him track position he was unable to recover.

Fez again rip up the form books. What to make of this team? On the weekends they have great single-lap pace their race pace is short. When they have good race pace they struggle to put it up on the grid. After France it seemed they were a mess, but yesterday they looked great, especially Leclerc who must be kicking himself for running up the back of Gasly. It seems that McLaren should be well clear by now but it's still very tight between these teams.

Gutted for Russell and Gasly. Both deserved better and had showed impressive speed throughout the weekend but it wasn't to be. Alpha Tauri have quietly put together an impressive package, with some very fast flashes of pace, but are struggling to get the results their car seems to warrant. Tsunoda has looked better, more consistent, and Gasly just has had some rotten luck.

Aston Martin fell out of it a bit after their encouraging run of results. Kimi was 11th once again, it's amazing.

Mercedes have a challenge on their hands to close the gap ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, but Red Bull look to be favorites based on what we saw yesterday.

That was a great qualifying.

Max on pole with a fantastic lap and on mediums to start the race. Softer compounds this weekend but I think they'll still be able to get a one-stopper on medium-hard, but we'll see which direction they choose to go.

Perez! Finally, a good Q3. Wasn't looking like it then he nailed one at the death. Lando had a blistering lap, nearly on pole, but if not for that it's a Red Bull one-two. Well done to Lando, who gets better every race. McLaren nearly snagging pole on pace merit is amazing. Ricciardo down in 13th by contrast. It's now a serious problem for McLaren to have him fail to shine.

I mentioned Alpha Tauri last week and how they have quietly put together a great package and man did it show today. Sixth and seventh is a cracking result for them. I expect them to be right in it.

Mercedes have to be scratching their heads. They thought (I suspect) they had it sorted after FP2, and then go fourth/fifth in Q3. While that's not bad, they had to be expecting better. Now both will need to get past Sergio and Lando to challenge Max and that will be a tall order with the pace those two are showing at the moment. It's a grid that looks to be ready for a spark. I expect a very contentious opening few laps, elbows out as the Mercs look to get up front. Perez will have his hands full and needs a perfect start. If he can do that he'll protect Max and give himself a great shot at the rostrum and maybe the win even.


George Russell ninth on merit. Just amazing in that Williams and I said there's a different vibe around them and this result has to have them flying high. Is that his first Q3 appearance in a Williams? I think it is. Failure to score now would be gutting.

Fez once again boggle the mind. There's no predicting where they'll be, although if form holds I expect their race pace will be strong, since their one-lap pace wasn't. But failing to get either car in to Q3 has to be demoralizing after their strong showing in last week's race.

And well done to Aston martin, with both cars in Q3 and looking good to score them both.

Looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully another good drive from Max and from Checo. Would love to see the one-two their performances and pace have hinted is coming soon. It won't be easy, and with the weather and softer compounds it could get shaken up. I think it will be very important to preserve tyres and manage degradation. The cars that do that best and maybe can make this a one-stop are going to have the upper hand.

If Hamilton doesn't beat the Red Bull tomorrow (which it is beginning to look like) then the seeds of defeat in the championship outcome will have been planted.

It is being rumoured that Mercedes are already preparing a new car for next season having taken the current one as far as they believe they can.

Well, that's what Toto would have us believe, but someone from the team has said there are indeed improvements for the 2021 car in the pipeline and they won't go until the end of the year without putting new parts on. Development will be minimal by necessity (new 2022 regs and spending cap this season) but I doubt they'll not make any changes this season.

Toto likes to throw a little light around and shift the gaze. I'd be quite surprised if they did not make changes, but it is possible I suppose. Red Bull certainly are.

But it's a balancing act with the cap. Every dime spent now eats in to the 2022 development. Red Bull are more willing to go this route since they have a title within view, and given the gap to their last one, are willing to roll the dice a bit.