The Official 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**

[Dr Z]

Crafty_ said:

It appears that Sauber have binned Kaltenborn.

If this has anything to do with her remarks that f1 is 'too technical earlier in the week or not, who knows. I wonder if Peter is busy this weekend....

Well apparently, the Swedish investors were trying to throw their weight around in getting the team to favour the driver they support--and Monisha didn't want to stand for that. Nothing worse than a driver coming in and dictating terms to a team, tbh.

Sad times for Sauber.

[Crafty_]

Yeah I saw that article too. It could be correct. Saward thinks it has more to do with her not getting on with the fund manager at longbow. She was apparently looking for staff and they didn't want to do that.

Motorsport.com suggest Colin Kolles (!) May be the replacement

[Cold]

Paddy Lowe is quoted as saying: "Azerbaijan race will require endurance from driver and team"

Aston Martin PR have commented with: "That's cute. "

[T S Magnum]

KobayashiMaru86 said:

Will be as dull as Monaco but without the nice location. Hope I'm wrong.

In my opinion you're wrong in one sense - I live in Baku and have been to Monaco several times. Monaco is indeed nicer but Baku is also nice.

[Vaud]

T S Magnum said:

In my opinion you're wrong in one sense - I live in Baku and have been to Monaco several times. Monaco is indeed nicer but Baku is also nice.

Personally I think Monaco is concrete dump. Nice firework displays but mostly over rated. Some much nicer towns in the area.

Off to Baku next year - some fascinating history

[T S Magnum]

Well, I was thinking mostly from a standard of 'finish' and ambiance perspective. I agree that Baku beats Monaco in terms of the range of historical buildings / monuments from many different eras mixed with striking modern features (e.g. the Flame Towers).

If you like history, here's a good bit of pub trivia - Government House (the impressive building behind the pits) was partially constructed by German prisoners from WWII. At one point they went on strike - a brave thing for prisoners to do under the Soviets. They were asked why they had downed tools and their likely impending executions were avoided - they were refusing to work because the quality of materials and standard of construction were to low.

Edited by T S Magnum on Thursday 22 June 13:07

Edited by T S Magnum on Thursday 22 June 13:07

[NM62]

Noted on MSN that Charlie Whiting has changed the trigger points for Blue Flags from 1.0 to 1.2 seconds following complaints from the front running drivers.

[Doink]

Used to be 1.5 secs but lowered to 1 sec but with complaints about this year's aero wake and the difficulty in getting close it was agreed that they increase the gap, upon reading that and before I got to the end I had a figure of 2 secs in my head but to only increase it by .2 seems pointless!

[NM62]

Totally agree - It was caveated with "Charlie may change it further if it does not work" - We shall see

[suffolk009]

Kimi to win it.

[TheAngryDog]

The two McHonda's will be starting from the back of the grid on Sunday. Is it even worth them bothering to qualify when we know that SV will be starting last and FA will be starting a place ahead of him?

[Supersam83]

Very green track at FP1. Backends out all over the place.

Looks more narrow with the 2018 cars tho.

[TheAngryDog]

Supersam83 said:

Very green track at FP1. Backends out all over the place.

Looks more narrow with the 2018 cars tho.

Little or no over taking then. I'll have the race on in the background but I don't think I'll be giving it my full attention.

[Doink]

Interesting to hear Ted discuss the recent clarification on how much oil burn is allowed if any and that it's rumoured to be from Mercedes and specifically aimed at Ferrari, this is why I love F1

[N0ddie]

TheAngryDog said:

Little or no over taking then. I'll have the race on in the background but I don't think I'll be giving it my full attention.

One must assume that with much higher aero levels this year and one massive massive straight, overtaking should be possible here.

[Doink]

Redbull 1 and 2 - who'd of thought it, engine update working then?

[Vaud]

Doink said:

Redbull 1 and 2 - who'd of thought it, engine update working then?

Ultra soft tyres, Ferrari and Mercedes have only run one step harder so far?

[HustleRussell]

Vaud said:

Doink said:

Redbull 1 and 2 - who'd of thought it, engine update working then?

Ultra soft tyres, Ferrari and Mercedes have only run one step harder so far?

No Ultra Soft this weekend, Medium, Soft and Super Soft only. Vettel the only driver in the top 7 not to use the Super Softs in that session. Unfortunately the graphic doesn't tell you which tyre the driver's fastest lap was set on.

Palmer 1.3s slower than Hulkenberg, 'Favoured' Ericsson 9/10ths slower than Wehrlein...

Stroll's Canada confidence boost has helped, he's only 7/10ths slower than Massa- and I presume Baku is new to him?

[Vaud]

HustleRussell said:

No Ultra Soft this weekend, Medium, Soft and Super Soft only. Vettel the only driver in the top 7 not to use the Super Softs in that session. Unfortunately the graphic doesn't tell you which tyre the driver's fastest lap was set on.

Palmer 1.3s slower than Hulkenberg, 'Favoured' Ericsson 9/10ths slower than Wehrlein...

Stroll's Canada confidence boost has helped, he's only 7/10ths slower than Massa- and I presume Baku is new to him?

Sorry, I meant that RB had used the softest compound, but Mercedes and Ferrari haven't.

[FourWheelDrift]

The shambles of Baku continues this year. Red flag in F2 due to a crash, teams back in the pits waiting green given and cars go out, half flags waved were still red half green then red flag called again because a crashed car hadn't been removed adequately. Everyone back to the pits.