🚥 Baku Recap, Miami GP, & US F1 History!

Hey there!👋 

It’s race weekend again and we’re off to the MiamiGP!

Baku GP has been described as a boring race and we tend to agree, but the aftermath has kept us on our toes.

In between rumours of Alonso and Taylor Swift and the wonderful get together Danny Ric had with Anne Hathaway 🥹 at the Met, we were busy digging through all the news & analysis after Baku and getting the setup ready for the Miami GP.

We’d better get going, you’re in for a lot of awesome infos.

1. Speedy Race Review

🔵 Safety Car drama steals the show, leaving Red Bulls in a tight race! 

Perez snatched victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Max was left wondering if the Safety Car intervention cost him the win.

The race saw the Red Bull teammates battling it out, with Verstappen initially leading but losing his advantage when the Safety Car was deployed for Nyck de Vries' stranded AlphaTauri.

An analysis of the timing suggests Red Bull could've predicted the Safety Car, with enough time to react and adjust their strategy. However, they might have missed the opportunity or decided against it.

Interestingly, radio communications show that Perez was informed about the Safety Car window being open, suggesting the pit wall may have been aware of the risk. - Read more

🛞 Tyre Strategies
Just 7 drivers didn't pit for Hards before the Safety Car and could benefit from it! All except for Zhou were front-runners.

🟥 The Soft was the softest compound produced by Pirelli (C5) and it was only used to set the fastest lap (Russel) or for the mandatory pit (Ocon/Hulkenberg) - via @F1DataAnalysis

🏎 Race pace
Perez and Verstappen were matched: just 0.02s/lap difference on average! About 1 second on a total race distance.

📉Ocon's and Hulkenberg's bet didn't pay off: they faced severe wear at the end (particularly Hulkenberg) and lost additional time by pitting.

💥Three other battles between drivers who had extremely close pace:

• LEC vs ALO

• HAM vs SAI

• STR vs RUS

😅 The FIA demand immediat action from… themselves after ‘very dangerous’ pit lane incident.

In a self-reflective moment, the FIA called out its own risky behavior during the Azerbaijan race, where photographers crowded the Parc Ferme area with an open pit lane.

Esteban Ocon's last-lap pit stop could have ended in disaster, but luckily, no serious consequences ensued. The FIA Stewards and representatives discussed procedures and protocols, vowing to make necessary changes before the next event. Talk about self-improvement – even on a Sunday! -  Read more

🤬 Russell: Verstappen 'let himself down' with Baku comments

The two drivers clashed during the Azerbaijan sprint event, with Verstappen calling Russell a "d**khead" afterward. Despite the insult, Russell downplayed the incident and referred to it as a "racing incident."

Though he didn't expect an apology, he mentioned that Verstappen, a two-time world champion, let himself down with such comments. After reviewing footage of the contact, Russell felt it was much ado about very little, finding the situation "underwhelming." - Read more

2. Formula 1 in America: A Journey Across the Nation

While it might seem F1 doesn’t have a huge presence in the US (yet), it’s history here goes well over 72 years and a lot of circuit and format changes.

It wasn’t always influencers & sunshine at the venues, and as we approach the 2nd race at the new Miami GP, let's learn more about the memorable racing venues and how Indy 500 and F1 are connected. 🏁

A Storied Past: F1’s American Adventure

Despite fierce competition from homegrown racing giants like IndyCar and NASCAR, the United States Grand Prix has managed to remain a regular fixture on the F1 calendar.

From the early days at the Indianapolis 500 to the upcoming 2023 race in Austin, the American F1 journey has been a wild ride.

The Starting Line: F1 and the Indianapolis 500

The Indy 500, now a staple of the IndyCar calendar, once held a spot on the F1 calendar. From 1950 to 1960, the 500-mile race was the only American round on the F1 schedule.

However, due to different regulations, European teams needed to build new cars to participate, making it a rare sight to see them compete in the event.

From Sebring to Riverside: F1's California Dreamin'

The US Grand Prix briefly moved to Sebring in 1959 and Riverside Raceway in California the following year. Neither venue captured the hearts of F1 fans, but luckily, Watkins Glen would soon provide a more permanent home for the race.

Watkins Glen: A New F1 Home in Upstate New York

Watkins Glen, located in upstate New York, quickly became a fan favorite and remained a fixture for nearly two decades. The US Grand Prix then split into East and West races in the late '70s and early '80s, taking F1 to Long Beach, California.

Long Beach: America's Answer to Monaco

Long Beach's challenging street circuit became an instant hit, with some comparing it to the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. The race remained on the calendar for eight years, producing memorable moments like John Watson's victory from 23rd on the grid in 1983.

Rolling the Dice: F1 in Vegas and Detroit

During the '80s, the US Grand Prix continued to move around, with races held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and on the streets of Detroit. In 1982, the US became the first country to host three F1 races in one season, and will soon equal that record with the addition of a new Las Vegas race.

Phoenix Rising: The Return of the United States Grand Prix

In 1989, the US Grand Prix returned to its original name as the race moved to Phoenix. Unfortunately, the city center track proved unpopular, and dwindling attendance led to its eventual departure from the calendar.

Back to the Brickyard: F1's Return to Indianapolis

In 2000, F1 announced it would once again race in Indianapolis(the city, not the race format), this time on a new course incorporating the iconic oval.

The race drew huge crowds and rekindled America's love for F1, but the controversial 2005 event caused lasting damage to the race's reputation. 👇🏼

Austin's Circuit of The Americas: F1 Finds a Home in Texas

In 2012, F1 finally found a stable home at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin. The race has become a fan favorite, with the passionate Texan crowd attending in droves each year, earning the United States Grand Prix a reputation as one of the most entertaining and well-attended races on the F1 calendar.

Economic Impact: COTA and the Lone Star State

The Circuit of The Americas (COTA) contributes an impressive $1 billion annually to the Texas economy through tourism and commerce. The track itself has won over drivers with its blend of high-speed corners and challenging elevation changes.

Record-Breaking Attendance: The 2021 US Grand Prix

After the 2020 race's cancellation, Austin returned to the calendar in 2021, setting a new record for the largest three-day F1 event with over 400,000 people in attendance.

A Decade of Racing: Celebrating 10 Years in Austin

Austin can proudly claim the title of the only official "United States Grand Prix." With the addition of Miami and Las Vegas races, the future of F1 in America looks brighter than ever.

The journey of the United States Grand Prix has been nothing short of extraordinary, moving through various venues before finding its home in the heart of Texas.

As we look forward to the 11th race at Austin's Circuit of The Americas, we can't help but marvel at the rich history of Formula 1 racing in America, which has only grown stronger over the years. So, buckle up, rev your engines, and get ready for another thrilling ride as we continue to celebrate the legacy of F1 in the United States. 🏎️💨🇺🇸

3. Fast Lane News

😶 Formula 1 needs to shift attention away from format tweaks and focus on improvements to make the racing less boring, says Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. - Read more

🏆 5 Winners and 5 Losers from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Who lit up the Land of Fire? - Read more

🛞💨 TECH TUESDAY: How Red Bull extended their straight-line speed advantage over Ferrari in Baku - Read more

🟢 Alonso prepping Stroll to lead Aston 'for the next 10 to 15 years' - Read more

🔴 Fred Vasseur says Ferrari will start bringing updates to its 2023 Formula 1 car in Miami as it looks to address its race pace deficit to Red Bull. - Read more

🧐 F1 drivers blame shortened DRS zone for "boring" Azerbaijan GP - Read more

🔵 ‘We should be leading the championship’ – Perez says he’d be ahead of Verstappen without Melbourne issues - Read more 

🤝 Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Charles Leclerc is definitely a long-term option for his Formula 1 team, but has ruled out any imminent move for the Ferrari ace. - Read more

🥹 If you’ve been missing Seb (I know we all have), you’ll get a chance to see him driving F1 cars from his own collection at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. - Read more 

🔵 Red Bull is yet to maximise its upgrades. The team arrived in Baku with a considerable package of upgrades(see radiator vents, outer edge of the floor), which may become more apparent at the Miami race. - Read more

👨🏼‍⚖️ Nikita Mazepin is fighting British government sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine in a bid to resurrect his racing career. - Read more

4. The Miami Grand Prix

🇺🇸 This weekend - 5-7th of May

TL;DR

1️⃣ First GP in 2022
📐 Length: 5.41 km
🛞 Corners: 19
💨 Estimated top speed: 320 km/h
🚀 3 DRS Zones
🏁 Number of laps: 57

🏆 Previous winner: Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing - Lap Time: 1:34:24

The Miami International Autodrome, located near Hard Rock Stadium, hosts the Miami Grand Prix, a relatively new addition to the Formula One World Championship.

Initially proposed in 2018 for a downtown location, the race faced hurdles and location changes before finally making its debut on May 8, 2022. All in all, the circuit took a little over 12 months to finish from detailed design to completed construction.

Track designers Apex Circuit Design created a purpose-built circuit to minimize disruption to local residents. Thus, the permanent-style track features temporary infrastructure like barriers and fences, can easily be removed when not in use.

Tyre strategies

In Miami, Pirelli will bring HARDER compounds than in Baku: expect a one-stopper!

The only thing that might shake things up will be the weather, currently there’s 50% chance of rain for Sunday. 🌦

Full 2023 Miami GP session timings

Friday 5 May 2023

• Free Practice 1: 7:00pm-8:00pm BST (2:00pm-3:00pm local)

• Free Practice 2: 10:30pm-11:30pm BST (5:30pm-6:30pm local)

Saturday 6 May 2023

• Free Practice 3: 5:30pm-6:30pm BST (12:30pm-1:30pm local)

• Qualifying: 9:00pm-10:00pm BST (4:00pm-5:00pm local)

Sunday 7 May 2023

• Race: 8:30pm BST (3:30pm local)

🔥 Meme of the day