2016 European Grand Prix - Baku City Circuit, Fri 17 – Sun 19 Jun

[Just_a_fan]

I think overtaking will be difficult here. Sure there's a looong straight but it's approached through several fast corners. That means most will struggle to get close enough. There might be some "ya-hey!" dives in to T1 but that might get messy.

Will be interesting to see if RedBull's recent apparent ability to run closer than others pays dividends here. Mercedes are likely to struggle if chasing, based on what we've seen recently.

[Phil]

Who is going to bet on RedBull or Ferrari? Would it be so unlikely that Mercedes experiences another Singapore 2015?

[A-Bap]

Anyone with me on the likelihood of at least two Safety Cars?

[f1316]

Actually looks pretty cool - sometimes a seemingly uninspired track can produce great racing (and a great track to drive, like Suzuka, often less so).

Surprised no ultra soft though - I think it might be a one stop.

[dans79]

Would it be so unlikely that Mercedes experiences another Singapore 2015?

I doubt it, with the long straits and stop and go turns!

[BanMeToo]

Pirelli are silly to be so conservative on new circuits. Think of Austin, Russia, the tires were way too hard for year one. It will be the same at this race in my opinion.

[zioture]

[flickerf1]

Red Bull 'will lose 1.2s on Baku F1 straight' - Marko: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.ph ... u-straight

That seems pretty extreme if you ask me.

[dans79]

Marko already laying it on thick about how they have a huge power deficit, but they will try and make it all up with their "outstanding car".

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.ph ... u-straight

But Marko was pessimistic ahead of the European Grand Prix saying: "The extremely long straight will not benefit us.

"Our computer simulations showed we will lose 1.2s per lap there.

"This is almost impossible to make up in the corners, though we have an outstanding car."

Despite this view, Marko is hopeful Red Bull will "be chasing Mercedes and on the same level with Ferrari" on the 3.732-mile street track.

[Goran2812]

This will be a Mercedes walk in the park due to their supreme engine... Ferrari will mount a challenge but will fail either for a botched pit stop or smth like that...

[PhillipM]

This will be a Mercedes walk in the park due to their supreme engine... Ferrari will mount a challenge but will fail either for a botched pit stop or smth like that...

Great, I'll expect Williams 3rd/4th, Force India 5th/6th and Manor 7th/8th then?

[strad]

It's not like being an F1 marshall is a highly specialised task

Well I can think of races that were ruined and drivers that died due to poor marshaling.

[Jolle]

Looking at that 3D animation. Don't run wide in turn 15

A small tap on the rear and you head the amco head on with 200 kph?

[f1316]

Marko already laying it on thick about how they have a huge power deficit, but they will try and make it all up with their "outstanding car".

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.ph ... u-straight

But Marko was pessimistic ahead of the European Grand Prix saying: "The extremely long straight will not benefit us.

"Our computer simulations showed we will lose 1.2s per lap there.

"This is almost impossible to make up in the corners, though we have an outstanding car."

Despite this view, Marko is hopeful Red Bull will "be chasing Mercedes and on the same level with Ferrari" on the 3.732-mile street track.

So basically he thinks their chassis is 1.2 seconds better than Ferrari......

Also, prior to the update, it would have been 1.7? Come on Marko.

At the same time, smedley saying the engines are already pretty close:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.ph ... w--smedley

The truth, as ever, is probably somewhere in between: the Renault engines cars will lose a significant amount on the long straights but nothing like 1.2 secs; if that were true, no way Red Bull would be matching Ferrari.

[mikeerfol]

Do we know how many are the race laps?