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đïž Azerbaijan GP Wrap-Up
Jordan Williams
September 17, 2024
In this weekâs email:
Azerbaijan GP Wrap-Up đ
Bottas' Current Struggles & Future at Sauber/Audi đ„
F1 License Penalty Points System Under Review đ§
McLarenâs Strategy Shift đ
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Wrap-Up đ
Oscar Piastri won his second race of the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. With Charles Leclerc taking second place. The race ended under a virtual safety car due to a crash involving Sergio PĂ©rez and Carlos Sainz. Which impacted the final laps.
McLarenâs strong performance with Piastri (1st) and Lando Norris (4th) has given them a 20-point lead over Red Bull in the constructors' standings. Max Verstappen finished 5th. While PĂ©rez and Sainz's crash ended both their races.
Top-10 from the Azerbaijan GP:
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Alex Albon (Williams)
Franco Colapinto (Williams)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Oliver Bearman (Haas)
Other things to note:
Charles Leclerc's hard tires degraded quickly in dirty air after pitting on lap 16. Causing him to lose a significant time advantage and ultimately allowing Oscar Piastri to overtake and win.
Lando Norris is narrowing the 59-point gap to Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings. Norrisâs fourth-place finish in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a notable achievement, especially given he started nine places behind Max Verstappen.
With a P8 finish, Franco Colapinto scored his first career points in only his second start.
Bottas' Current Struggles & Future at Sauber/Audi đ„
Valtteri Bottas is facing a challenging season at Sauber, currently sitting at the bottom of the standings with no points scored yet. This marks a stark contrast to his impressive run with Mercedes where he consistently achieved podium finishes and secured consecutive second-place spots from 2017 to 2021. Sauber has struggled with slow pit stops and overall competitiveness this year, contributing to Bottasâ difficulties.
Key Highlights:
Ongoing Negotiations: Bottas is in almost daily contact with Sauberâs new boss, Mattia Binotto, to discuss his future. Despite the contract uncertainty, he remains confident and less stressed about the situation.
Positive Outlook: Bottas expressed his optimism, emphasizing his clear desire to stay in F1. He mentioned that while rumors about other drivers, like Gabriel Bortoleto, are circulating, they have not impacted his position or negotiations.
Alternative Plans: If necessary, Bottas is open to exploring other racing series with IndyCar being a potential option. However, he is focused on securing his place in Formula 1 and remains committed to the sport.
F1 License Penalty Points System Under Review đ§
Kevin Magnussenâs recent ban for reaching 12 penalty points has sparked fresh debate about F1âs penalty points system. Magnussen is missing the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after accumulating points from a collision with Pierre Gasly. Becoming the first driver to be suspended under this system since its introduction in 2014.
The current penalty system has been criticized for its strictness and lack of consistency. With the expanded race calendar, drivers argue that the 12-point threshold may be too severe. There are growing calls to focus penalties on serious offenses and consider revising or even eliminating the penalty points system.
The FIA is exploring potential updates but has not yet made any decisions. This issue remains a topic of discussion among drivers and teams as they seek a more balanced approach to managing on-track behavior.
McLarenâs Strategy Shift đ
McLaren has decided to support Lando Norris in his bid for the Formula 1 title. Managing this shift on a case-by-case basis rather than through rigid rules. McLarenâs Strategy Shift strategy consists of:
Prioritizing Norris: McLaren will focus on supporting Lando Norrisâs title bid for the remainder of the 2024 season. While the team still aims to win the constructors' championship, Norris is currently 59 points behind Max Verstappen.
Supporting Role for Piastri: Oscar Piastri will assist Norrisâs championship chase on a case-by-case basis. McLaren will not enforce strict team orders but will guide Piastriâs role based on race circumstances and strategy.
Flexible Approach: McLaren will not guarantee Norris every win and will allow Piastri to race for victories when justified. This strategy ensures that both drivers can capitalize on their performance, reflecting McLaren's commitment to fairness.
Strategy Transparency: The team prefers to keep their exact approach flexible to adapt to different race scenarios, balancing competitive tactics with respecting driver autonomy.
Piastriâs Perspective: Piastri is supportive of the strategy. Understanding the long-term benefits of helping Norris while maintaining his own opportunities for success.