Azerbaijan update
source: https://www.stadiosport.it/wp-content/u ... podium.png
The Azerbaijan Baku grand prix, a street circuit known for its long straights, narrow passages and unforgiving walls all around the track. This race is slowly becoming one of the most exciting spectacles in formula 1 as no one knows quite what to expect. Coming into this race red bull were riding high with confidence as both drivers were looking good in the early stages of practice while both Mercedes and Ferrari true pace looked to be a bit deceiving. On qualifying day it was once again the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen that seemed to be destined for pole as the iceman was putting together a stellar lap on pace for a new track record but failed to hold it together in the final sector giving the number one grid spot to his teammate Sebastian Vettel yet again.
One race day the stage was set for an epic battle with Sebastian Vettel leading the way but the race that unfolded was one that none of us could see coming. The contact came early and often in Azerbaijan as the first safety car was deployed on the opening lap where raikkonen, magnessen, Hartley, Alonso, and ericsson all pitting on lap 1. All while ocon and sirotkin were done for the day.
we saw more contact as the race developed but this time between teammates Daniel Riccardo and Max Versteppen who were both swapping positions and paint with each other as the race went on. But it wasn't until lap 40 that the dynamic duo clashed together for the last time causing yet another double DNF for Red bull racing. The race now blown wide open as bottas was able to pit under yet another safety car allowing him to keep the lead ahead of vettel who seemed to be cruising to yet another race win. Bottas, Vettel and Hamilton all now on fresh ultra softs chomping at the bit to restart this race. The fans now salivating at a restart that seemed to be an all out fight to the end between Mercedes and Ferrari. But hold that thought, because just as the drivers were getting ready to resume the race Romain Grosjean decided to check out how sturdy the walls are in baku by slamming his car head first into it delaying the restart of the race even further.
Now with the race finally back under way with 4 laps to go, bottas was off to a lightning restart with vettel, Hamilton and raikkonen all giving chase. heading into turn 1 vettel from a looong way back goes for the move on bottas locking up the left front tire forcing him to go wide missing the corner and rejoining the track in p4 behind his teammate. Mercedes now with a strong 1-2 pulling away from Ferrari are hit with yet another surprise as bottas runs over some remaining road debris causing a puncture with just 3 laps to go!! Bottas now forced to retire his car has another win slip through his fingers. Hamilton now inheriting the lead from his wounded teammate, Raikkonen moving into 2nd and Sergio Perez (yes that's right) makes the move on a wounded vettel for the final place on the podium.. What a race ( you cant make this stuff up people.)
Can bottas get that elusive win??
Will redbull impose team orders?
and was this the final straw that broke Riccardo's back enabling him to make the move to Ferrari???
STAY TUNED!
Azerbaijan RESULTS as follows:
CONGRATULATIONS TOP BANANA RACING aka Steve_muzzy FOR WINNING THE AZERBAIJAN GP 
° top banana racing 37
° Buzzin Hornets 34
° BancieriF1 32
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Best of the rest
4° AJ Racing 32
5° Laz_T800 32
6° Ernie_f1 32
7° How F1 32
8° Suit Up Racing 30
9° Harestock F1 29
10° Strange Thingys GP 29
11° Herb GP 27
12° Team Mittpond 24
13° CrzyFast 15
14° KC GRAND PRIX 15
15° PredictablyPoor 15
16° UltimoF1 14
17° Bernie Sanders Racing 12
18° Jenson's Understeer 12
19° Project Mayhem 12
20° KimiforWDC 11
21° No Limit Excedrin Racing 7
, 
° AJ Racing 44 
° Suit Up Racing 42
° Bernie Sanders Racing & Herb GP 34
) 
![:]](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif "Grin"){kind=icon}
assassin takes out his last target Bottas with a great inside move on turn 6 taking the lead. Riccardo never looked back setting fastest lap after fastest lap and checking out to the tune of 9.1sec. An amazing show case of talent performed by Riccardo for the much deserved win.
. In 2nd we now have Suit Up Racing 
