In what is my personal favourite race weekend on the calendar, let’s discuss some predictions heading into this next round if the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship as the cars, teams and drivers head to the streets of Baku, for the first time in two years, for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Will Bulls be fastest in Baku… Probably not!
Wheel2Wheel fully expects Mercedes to bounce bank in style with a 1-2 finish this weekend. Red Bull have good pace but have never seemed overly fast at this track. Their only win coming when Daniel Ricciardo somehow ended up on the top step with issues for all other competitors that day. You can take it to the bank that Red Bull will be closer and there will not be a repeat with their two cars coming together, but this still won’t be enough. Lewis should reclaim the lead at the top in the latest twist to a compelling season.
Finally a point for George, please…
At this track more than any, drivers of less quick teams have a real chance of getting something. Williams were on the podium here a few years ago and although this isn’t quite the same, George can score points if he stays out of trouble and let’s the cars ahead of him take each other out. There is so many opportunities for mistakes that mean if the Brit can keep his nose clean, he could have a successful day and surprise us all. He has had his struggles with the Williams in the last couple of outings, but let’s hope he turns it around.
20 million a year… Something to show for it would be nice!
Fernando Alonso has been poor the last couple of races, he will admit as much himself. Ocon across the paddock has been, to everyone’s surprise, the team’s better driver this year. With such a high wage and with even higher expectations, Fernando really needs a repeat of a few years ago where he turned a first lap puncture into a P7 finish, that time for McLaren. Like with George on the previous entry, Baku offers an opportunity for the Spaniard. I predict he will out-qualify and out-race his teammate this weekend and score a point or two.
Which Haas to go off first?
There is no way that both Haas drivers finish the race this weekend. It was a miracle how in Monaco, both drivers drove relatively well and cleanly. However, in a new challenge in Azerbaijan, this will surely change. In a mistake that may lead to a safety car and a race-altering moment, I predict that one if not both Haas drivers, will not complete the race.
Anyone for a podium place?
Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly or Sergio Perez? The truth is any of these drivers could challenge for a podium this weekend particularly if there are issues for the usually scarily reliable HAM BOT VER. Lando especially has shown how it is certainly doable. Wheel2Wheel predicts it will in fact be a resurgent Charles Leclerc in a redemption type story. If not, then his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz will surely be the next best shout.
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WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 
I have a gut feeling Alonso will sneak a podium finish.
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I shouldn’t have approved this 😂
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