Welcome Back-u - 2022 Azerbaijan GP Preview

Monaco, but with a long straight; a mix of Monaco and Monza - call it what you may, the Baku City Circuit is a model street circuit. It's how street circuits should be...apart from Monaco.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. @f1statsguru aka Sundaram has his stats preview segment while Aditya Bhat (@bhat.tech) explains the challenges of the 'castle section' at Baku.

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Could Sergio Perez do a double-double in Baku? Do we know which car is quicker - Ferrari or Red Bull Racing? If Ferrari have the car to challenge for the world title, do they have the team in place? Is this the most-likely race to have the unlikely podium trio? Will the 'porpoising' return for Mercedes & other teams on the long-straight of Baku?

And of course, what makes Baku so special? Soumil and Kunal shares some of their favourite Baku moments; the race hasn't been around for that long, but it has already offered us plenty of memorable moments on-track.

Tune in!

(Season 2022, Episode 33)

Follow our hosts: Sundaram Ramaswami, Aditya Bhat, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

**Summary of the Inside Line F1 Podcast Episode 33: Previewing the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix**

- The episode begins with a discussion about Sergio Perez's potential to win back-to-back races in Baku and become the first driver to do so since Nico Rosberg in 2016.

- The hosts, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah, then preview the upcoming race, highlighting the unique challenges of the Baku City Circuit. They discuss the long straights, the tight castle section, and the high likelihood of unpredictable incidents.

- In a special segment, Sundaram Ramaswami, also known as F1 Stats Guru, shares some interesting statistics about the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He mentions that no driver has ever won pole position, the race, and the fastest lap more than once at Baku, and that Sebastian Vettel has the most consistent record at the circuit, having never finished outside the top four.

- The hosts then delve into the ongoing battle between Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, debating which team has the quicker car. They also discuss the pressure on Ferrari to deliver results after a disappointing start to the season.

- Aditya Bhat, an Instagram sensation known for explaining F1 technical concepts, joins the show to provide insights into the challenges of the castle section at Baku. He explains how the low-speed, high-downforce nature of the section can be difficult for drivers, especially when they are pushing hard on a qualifying lap.

- The hosts discuss the possibility of Mercedes bouncing back from their struggles in Monaco. They speculate on whether the team has truly solved its porpoising issues and whether they will be competitive in Baku.

- The episode concludes with a discussion about other drivers and teams to watch out for in the race, including Sergio Perez, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, and Lewis Hamilton.

- The hosts emphasize the unpredictability of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and encourage listeners to tune in for an exciting race.

# Inside Line F1 Podcast: Preview of the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

**Introduction:**

- The podcast discusses the upcoming 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held at the Baku City Circuit, which combines elements of both Monaco and Monza.

**Track Characteristics and Challenges:**

- The Baku City Circuit is a challenging street circuit with a mix of high-speed straights and tight, twisty sections.
- The long straight provides opportunities for overtaking, but the narrow and winding castle section demands precise driving and car control.
- The track surface is bumpy and abrasive, posing additional challenges for drivers and teams.

**Team and Driver Performance:**

- Sergio Perez's recent strong performances raise questions about whether he can achieve a "double-double" in Baku (winning both the race and qualifying).
- The podcast debates which car is quicker between Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, with Ferrari showing strong pace but Red Bull having a more reliable package.
- Mercedes' struggles with porpoising may resurface on Baku's long straight, affecting their performance.

**Unlikely Podium Contenders:**

- Baku has a history of producing surprise podium finishers, with seven out of 15 podium finishers coming from outside the top five teams.
- The unique characteristics of the circuit, including safety car periods and restarts, can create opportunities for unexpected results.

**Favorite Baku Moments:**

- The hosts share their favorite Baku moments, highlighting the race's unpredictability and excitement.
- They recall Lewis Hamilton's dramatic moment in 2021, where he accidentally left his "magic button" on, leading to a spectacular crash.

**Predictions for the Race:**

- The hosts make their predictions for the race winner and pole position.
- Carlos Sainz is favored for pole and the win, with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez also in contention.
- Max Verstappen's weekend may be overshadowed by questions about his father's comments regarding Red Bull's strategy favoring Perez in Monaco.

**Conclusion:**

- The podcast concludes with anticipation for an exciting and unpredictable race in Baku, known for its wild and crazy moments.
- The hosts promise to return with a review of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after the race weekend.