2022 Azerbaijan GP

The 2022 Azerbaijan GP which is held at the capital city of baku is another street track in the F1 Calendar. This track has mostly generated some great races, but we got one of the most boring snooze fests in 2022. Max and Perez got a 1-2 for Red Bull while Ferrari was probably bathing in their own tears after a double DNF.

In this Episode we discuss:

1. Well done Baku! (Not really this year)
2. Ferrari dropped the ball yet again. 
3. Ferrari runs on Tifosi tears. 😭
4. Ben Sulayem’s Tyranny 🌈
5. Old man Hamilton needs a walking stick
6. Merc probably "help me daddy"
7. FIA dusts off their black and orange flag ⚫🟠
8. Trouble brewing at McLaren
9. Vettel's S🅱️inalla training pays off
10. All Canadian team for bumper cars
11. Zak Brown, the Michael Scott of F1    

Memes in this episode:

1. Hamilton’s Mercedes
2. The Duct Tape Solution
3. Where power?
4. Sad Face Filter not needed at Ferrari  

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Music:

Intro: Howling (Sting) - Gunnar Olsen

Outro: Your Intro by Audionautix

# Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2022 Review: Baku Snooze Fest and Ferrari's Troubles

## Introduction

* The 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, was another street track race on the F1 calendar.
* The race was a snooze fest, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez securing a 1-2 finish, while Ferrari suffered a double DNF (Did Not Finish).

## Key Points and Discussion

### Ferrari's Struggles

* Ferrari had a disappointing race, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. retiring due to engine failures.
* This marked Ferrari's second double DNF of the season, raising concerns about the reliability of their power units.
* The team's struggles have allowed Red Bull to extend their lead in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships.

### Ben Sulayem's Controversial Comments

* FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem made controversial remarks suggesting that drivers should not voice their opinions on social and political issues.
* This sparked a backlash from drivers and fans, who argued that they have a right to express their views.
* Several drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, wore rainbow colors or made statements in support of LGBTQ+ rights in response to Sulayem's comments.

### Hamilton's Struggles

* Lewis Hamilton had a difficult race, finishing in 10th place after struggling with porpoising issues in his Mercedes.
* The seven-time world champion has been vocal about the physical toll of porpoising, which causes the car to bounce violently at high speeds.
* Mercedes has been working to address the issue, but it remains a significant challenge for the team.

### McLaren's Internal Issues

* McLaren had a disappointing race, with Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo finishing in 9th and 10th place, respectively.
* The team appeared to issue conflicting instructions to their drivers regarding team orders, causing confusion and frustration.
* There have been rumors of tension between Norris and Ricciardo, and the team's performance has suffered as a result.

### Vettel's S🅱️inalla Training Pays Off

* Sebastian Vettel had a strong race, finishing in 6th place for Aston Martin.
* The four-time world champion made a mistake during qualifying, spinning his car and earning a grid penalty.
* However, he drove a determined race, making up several positions and scoring valuable points for his team.

### All-Canadian Bumper Car Team

* The Canadian drivers, Lance Stroll, Nicholas Latifi, and Alex Albon, had a chaotic race, with several incidents and collisions.
* Stroll and Latifi collided on the opening lap, while Albon was involved in a separate incident with Fernando Alonso.
* The three drivers finished in the bottom three positions, with Stroll retiring from the race.

### Zak Brown, the Michael Scott of F1

* McLaren CEO Zak Brown has been compared to Michael Scott, the fictional character from the American sitcom "The Office."
* Brown is known for his enthusiastic and sometimes awkward demeanor, which has made him a popular figure among F1 fans.
* His antics and comments often provide lighthearted moments during race weekends.

## Conclusion

* The 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a disappointing race, with few highlights and several controversies.
* Ferrari's double DNF and Ben Sulayem's comments dominated the headlines, while Mercedes and McLaren continued to struggle.
* However, there were some bright spots, such as Vettel's strong performance and the entertaining antics of the Canadian drivers. ## Episode Summary:
### Azerbaijan Grand Prix: A Snooze Fest and Ferrari's Double DNF

**Baku Race Overview:**
- The 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, a street circuit known for exciting races, turned out to be a dull event.
- Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez secured a 1-2 finish for Red Bull, while Ferrari suffered a double DNF (Did Not Finish).

### Ferrari's Struggles:
- Ferrari faced another disappointing weekend, with both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc retiring from the race due to mechanical issues.
- This double DNF further adds to Ferrari's woes, as they continue to struggle with reliability and strategic errors.

### Ben Sulayem's Controversial Decisions:
- FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's recent actions, including the introduction of stricter jewelry and underwear regulations, have drawn criticism from drivers and fans.
- His decisions have been perceived as overly controlling and unnecessary, leading to discussions about his leadership style.

### Hamilton's Struggles and Mercedes' Difficulties:
- Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, endured a challenging race, finishing seventh.
- Mercedes' struggles continued, with the team still unable to find a solution to their porpoising issues.

### Black and Orange Flag Usage:
- The FIA introduced the black and orange flag during the race, signaling to Pierre Gasly that his car had sustained damage and needed to be inspected.
- Gasly eventually retired from the race, highlighting the importance of enforcing safety regulations.

### McLaren's Internal Issues:
- McLaren is reportedly experiencing internal problems, with rumors of tension between team members and a lack of clear leadership.
- The team's poor performance in recent races has added to the speculation about instability within the team.

### Vettel's Impressive Drive and Aston Martin's Woes:
- Sebastian Vettel showcased his skills with a strong performance, finishing in the points despite Aston Martin's ongoing issues.
- Lance Stroll, Vettel's teammate, had a difficult race, crashing twice and drawing criticism for his lack of consistency.

### Canadian Drivers' Bumper Cars:
- The Canadian drivers, Nicholas Latifi, Lance Stroll, and Kevin Magnussen, were involved in several incidents during the race, leading to jokes about them forming their own bumper car team.

### Zak Brown's Leadership Style:
- Zak Brown, McLaren's CEO, has been compared to Michael Scott, a character from the TV show The Office, due to his enthusiastic and sometimes unconventional approach to leadership.

### Overall Takeaway:
- The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a forgettable race, with Ferrari's double DNF overshadowing any excitement.
- The episode highlights the ongoing challenges faced by various teams, including Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren, as they navigate the 2022 Formula One season.