Azerbaijan Flashback: Perez the master in the streets of Baku

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has not been a resounding success for Max Verstappen whilst his new teammate Sergio Perez is a master of the circuit. Twice the Dutchman crashed out, and the last time in 2019 he finished fourth. Whereas Perez has stepped on the podium twice in Baku, once in the 2016 European Grand Prix, and once in the Azerbaijan race. How much of a role with Perez play this weekend?

Boring or spectacular in Baku

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was introduced to Formula 1 in 2017. However, the street circuit in Baku designed by Hermann Tilke was already used in 2016 under the name of the European GP. The circuit has a technical sector that can be compared to parts in Monaco, but the circuit also has one huge long straight. Because of this straight, Mercedes have been strong in these streets but that could all change this weekend. 

The long straight is going to be one of the biggest talking points in Baku this weekend. Mercedes will be concerned about the flexible rear wing on the RB16B as the advantages will be highlighted on this piece of tarmac perhaps more than most places. The German team have previously won three races at this venue. One each for Nico Rosberg (2016), Lewis Hamilton (2018) and Valtteri Bottas (2019). 

For Hamilton's Championship rival Verstappen, the street circuit in Baku has not been the happiest of places. In 2016, he finished eighth behind teammate Daniel Ricciardo. The same Ricciardo won the crazy 2017 edition, where Verstappen crashed out with technical problems. In 2018, Ricciardo and Verstappen crashed together. In 2019 though, Verstappen was left sandwiched between the two Ferrari cars in fourth place. 

Quiet 2019 race

It could go either way in Azerbaijan. Either it is a spectacular race as we saw in 2017 and 2018, or a simple parade as was the case in 2016, and also during the 2019 edition. The last race in Azerbaijan was not a highlight.

The top four in qualifying could also be copied for the race result. Valtteri Bottas was under pressure from his teammate throughout the race but managed to hold off Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel never really came under pressure from number four Max Verstappen, who was under pressure himself, even getting passed by Charles Leclerc.

The blunder of Ricciardo

The reversed strategy ensured that not Leclerc, but Verstappen managed to conquer fourth place. Leclerc was fifth and still took the point for the fastest lap. Pierre Gasly, then still a teammate of Verstappen at Red Bull, crashed out with a technical problem.

The only highlight was the battle between Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo who skidded off the track, but with the huge run-off areas in Baku that's not a problem in some places. Ricciardo didn't reverse very well and hit the Russian in a bit of comedy of errors. It caused damage to the two drivers who would both retire.

Perez the Baku master

In Formula 1's current era, it has been rare to see a driver from outside the big three teams step on the podium. But Perez made it happen twice in the streets of Baku for Force India. The Mexican certainly knows how to perform here and has proved that on every occasion. 

Despite being in a midfield team, Perez has always started and finished inside the top ten at this venue. In 2017, he recorded a DNF with a broken seat. Even with this DNF, Perez still managed to complete 18 laps in P3, and one lap in P2. 

And this positive experience could pay dividends for Christian Horner's team who will be hoping to get two cars at the front of the field to fend off any attack from the two Mercedes cars.