Highlights of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

In less than a week, the paddock will head to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The eighth round of the calendar may well welcome the Formula 1 since 2017, the Azeri event has always delivered its share of surprises. Accidents, punctures or daring overtaking, the spectacle was often present and this year the Grand Prix should once again keep all its promises.  

2017: Karting and photo finish

For the second reception of Formula 1 in Azerbaijan after the European Grand Prix in 2016, the two Silver Arrows occupied the first row at the start of the race in 2017. But after a few laps, it was Sebastian Vettel who stands in the Briton's mirrors. On the 19th lap, the cars were still under the safety car regime when Lewis Hamilton decides to brake suddenly. The pilot Ferrari, located behind him, can do nothing and hits the rear of the Mercedes. Furious, the quadruple world champion responded by hitting his front wheel against that of the Briton. A gesture of karting which will earn him a 10-second stop & go.  

Quit the talking point

💥 😮 💥 😵@pirellisport #F1Rewind pic.twitter.com/7D8Jwrrj89

- Formula 1 (@ F1) June 6, 2020

In Formula 1, races can be decided in one detail, one second and in 2017 Lance stroll learned it the hard way. As the Canadian prepares to cross the finish line in 2nd position, he sees a Mercedes disappearing in his mirrors. Valtteri Bottas take advantage of the slipstream in the very long straight in Baku to get ahead of the driver on the line Williams and get 2nd place.  

2018: Two accidents in three laps

In 2018, a battle will animate the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Started in 4th and 5th position, Daniel Ricciardo et Max Verstappen enter into a duel to be the first Red Bull to cross the finish line. The drivers will repeat the same overtaking several times at turn number 1 until the 40th lap. The Australian arrives with the DRS and the aspiration on the Dutchman who intends to defend his position by changing trajectory several times. But at the end of the straight, Daniel Ricciardo cannot find the solution, misses his braking and hits the back of Max Verstappen. At the finish, the Red Bulls finished this Grand Prix with zero points. 

This accident between the two Red Bull drivers triggers the release of the safety car. On lap 43, Romain Grojsean, then in 6th position, tried to keep his tires warm. But the Frenchman loses the back of his car and comes to finish its course against the wall. “ I think Ericsson touched us », exclaims the pilot Haas right after his accident. The Swede has nothing to do with it and the Frenchman with this error will miss the opportunity to score a podium in Azerbaijan.  

What was Ericsson thinking? 😱💥😂#AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿 #F1 pic.twitter.com/p8NVAyx0kQ

- Formula 1 (@ F1) April 22, 2019

2019: “ I am stupid »

On the winding route of Baku, Charles Leclerc does not have very good memories of the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. And for good reason, while he had the pace to get pole position, the Monegasque made a mistake at turn 8 and crashed into the wall . No more fear for harm for the Ferrari driver as he explains on the radio: “ I'm stupid, I'm stupid. » 

2021: Double failure for the title

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been in a season-long battle for the title. In Azerbaijan, the Briton started in front of the Batavian, but after a missed pit stop by Mercedes, the future world champion found himself in the lead until the 46th lap. 5 laps from the end of the Grand Prix, the Red Bull's tires exploded and threw the car against the wall. The impact is violent but Max Verstappen escapes unscathed and hits his left front tire with his foot in frustration.

After this accident, Lewis Hamilton finds himself in an ideal position to win the Grand Prix with his main opponent on the mat. The incident caused a red flag and a few minutes later, the drivers returned to the grid for a standing start. The Briton, then in second position, saw a lot of smoke escaping from his brake ducts. Premonitory sign? At turn number 1 instead of turning, Lewis Hamilton pulls straight after accidentally pressing the brake distribution button. The damage is done, the seven-time world champion scores no points, finishing in 16th position.  

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