Pierre Gasly, Red Bull, Baku City Circuit, 2019

Gasly had a “much stronger” weekend in Baku – Horner

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In the round-up: Christian Horner says Pierre Gasly raised his game in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following his difficult start ot the 2019 F1 season.

What they say

Whilst he doesn’t have the result on paper I think he’s pretty happy with his weekend. In Q1 he was quick, Friday he was quick, he’s driven a good race and should have been an easy P6 today from the pit lane which is a really strong drive. I think even more encouragingly than that his pace, certainly compared to a Ferrari on the same strategy, he was definitely quicker than. So I think a lot of positives for Pierre out of this weekend.

You could see it. I think the confidence that came out of China came into Azerbaijan and I think even though he doesn’t have the result to show it he knows it’s been a much stronger weekend for him.

Quotes: Dieter Rencken

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Comment of the day

An ominous stat for Mercedes’ rivals from @Phylyp:

Four races in and Mercedes already have the same number of one-two finishes as the entirety of the 2018 season.
@Phylyp

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Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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27 comments on “Gasly had a “much stronger” weekend in Baku – Horner”

  1. I can’t wait for next week round-up:

    “Marcedes braced for another tough outing in Barcelona.”

    1. By this point Toto is obliged to used a tshirt saying “closest championship in years” as they clinch the title in september.

    2. According to some, Mercedes are just being modest.

      1. Pace wise, they are clearly not as dominant as 2014, 2015,…

        But operationally they are flawless this year.

        1. First I read your comment in a sarcastic and funny way that others wrote before you, and then it struck me after reading for the second time, that it was meant seriously.

        2. @jureo – Fair point, in time gap they are not as far ahead as in prior years. But they will easily surpass 2017 and 2018 in wins, podiums, and 1-2 finishes. And depending on Ferrari’s ability to get its act together, could end up nearly or as dominant as 2014-16.

          2017 and 2018 started fairly close and then that competition fizzled. This isn’t even starting close. It is concerning.

  2. World Championship status can only be granted to a series that has four ‘automobile makes’ participating on average over an entire season.

    I just knew about this. What about F1 late V8 era that only had Renault, Ferrari & Mercedes?

      1. @phylyp He is referring to engine suppliers only.

        @ruliemaulana
        Wasnt Cosworth there in that period ? with marussia ?

        1. @webtel – true, if it is engine suppliers, then Cosworth covered as the #4 until 2013 (and prior to Cosworth we had BMW and Toyota).

          However, I don’t think the rule is for PU suppliers, but for automotive marques/brands. Because if you see 2014, that season had only 3 PU suppliers, as Honda hadn’t made their entry yet.

          1. ah. Automobile makers. Makes sense.
            I just saw an old article which reported the news of WEC GTE being upgraded to a world championship and FIA had this to say–> “due to the increase of GTE manufacturer involvement in the championship…”
            @phylyp

          2. @phylyp @webtel Automobile makers.
            That’s it. So basically Volkswagen Group can created three World Championship.

    1. Maybe it is that you need 4 manufacturers to get it but it is not taken away if you drop down to 3 or less. See lemans p1 class for example.

    2. Pat Ruadh (@fullcoursecaution)
      30th April 2019, 12:39

      As I understand it gaining WC status will also require the removal of FanBoost on sporting grounds, at long last

    3. @ruliemaulana Series that historically have usually had the appropriate number of manufacturers are also eligible. This is an obvious rule patch put in to prevent F1 losing the World Championship status.

  3. I’m thinking Porsche will go back to lemans with the new rules

    Going to be amazing if they do

    1. That sounds rather unlikely, as Porsche has shown no interest in the proposed new regulations at all – they have not bothered sending anybody along to participate in any of the meetings for the new regulations, and the indication is that they’ve been downsizing their motorsport division.

  4. I thoroughly agree with Horner. Gasly indeed has stepped up his game and would’ve finished 6th (which would’ve been more impressing in Azerbaijan than in China given his starting position) had it not been for the failed driveshaft. I hope he at least keeps this form going on into the next races as well if not start to match and beat Max in the same machinery.

    I also agree with Hamilton. Ferrari really needs to step up their game before the points-gaps on both the WDC and WCC standings get too big to claw back anymore. The COTD, for that matter, sums up pretty well how the season has unfolded thus far.

    I wasn’t aware before that the World Championship-status can only be granted to a series that features at least four car manufacturers as participants. I thought FE already was a WC-series given that the races like in F1, WRC, WEC, etc., take places all around the world, not just in one continent like in Nascar and IndyCar, for instance. You always learn something new.

    A quarter of a century since the tragic death of Roland Ratzenberger. A driver who some people might’ve forgotten. On the other hand, it’s a bit weird to think it’s been that many years since his and tomorrow Senna’s fatal accidents given Kvyat turned 25 just four days ago, and I’ll reach that age next year.

    1. turned 25 just four days ago, and I’ll reach that age next year

      You young pup, you! :) @jerejj

      1. I remember watching that race live with my dad, I would have been 8 at the time. It was devastating. We stopped watching F1 together for years afterwards.

    2. Overtaking is very easy here, so I’m not convinced that Gasly is getting so much better. I’ll reserve judgment for now.

      1. @aapje – Agreed. As a driver in a top 3 team car, coming in 6th is the lowest bar one should be reaching regularly. (@jerejj)

  5. Lewis’s comment is spot on.
    Every part of the Mercedes team is running smooth.
    Unless Ferrari can get their act together fast then this is it for the season folks.
    Luckily there is lots of stuff going on in the midfield but it will still feel like a dead season if nothing changes :(

  6. That found photo of Senna, knowing the place and setting, is truly a stunning image. Took my breath away.

  7. Ok I waited for Monday’s round-up, but where’s NASCAR Talladega race recap? Just a single Brad Keselowski pit-stop there was more entertaining than a whole F1 weekend in Baku.

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