Red Bull certainly didn't let themselves be intimidated by the weekend Sprint in Baku and decided to bring many updates, and to question itself. He did it after almost a month's stop, also getting confirmation from Sergio Perez. A confirmation which leaves little hope for the competition but which instead ignites the challenge between teammates with Max Verstappen, "only" second in Baku, 6 points behind the Mexican in the championship. Even Ferrari in Baku called itself into question. He did so by not bringing significant innovations to the track but rather a different attitude, especially with Charles Leclerc, who is kind to his tyres. The SF-23 is not yet able to fight with Red Bull, probably never will be, but the goal was the podium and they achieved it. Furthermore, the Reds also showed greater character in qualifying with Charles. Azerbaijan has reserved few surprises this time in the main event of the weekend. Or rather, he maybe exhausted them in the other sessions with the two qualifying sessions and the Sprint race. But let's see how our drivers fared with tops and flops at Fanta F1!
The tops
Sergio Perez: On street circuits Perez exalts himself. Thus, after the success in the Sprint comes the second consecutive victory on the Azerbaijani track in the "that counts" race, that of Sunday. Also thanked by Safety, Perez conquers the public also obtaining +5 of the vote for the best Sky pilot. He collects quite a few points and is now -6 behind the leader, Max Verstappen. Nobody forbids him to fight. Not yet.
Charles Leclerc: There's a lot of Charles on this podium, this weekend for Ferrari that timidly comes back to the surface after hitting rock bottom. His race is perfect, a jewel almost as much as the two Poles which, however, were not enough to contain the Red Bull power. He will never be happy, as long as he is forced to chase. But on the other hand, he's not a rider who gives up or is satisfied. He also proved it in his search for the additional fastest lap point. Today the team was on his shoulders. In view of Fanta F1 returns to earn a decent score. Who knows how many Fantamanagers believed in him and fielded him this weekend.
Fernando Alonso: The best overtaking of the day came from him. His victim, Sainz, remains dumbfounded by a move that only a tough guy like Fernando could make in such a delicate moment. He doesn't get to the fourth consecutive podium but that's okay. On the other hand, he also had to manage Stroll's strategy. But how much he loves doing it.. and how much we love seeing him do it!
The flops
Nick De Vries: Definitely a bad weekend for Nyck De Vries. More on the wall than on the track. These are heavy withdrawals. And we also recommended it..
Pierre Gasly: Pierre “Gastly”, we should call him, like the Pokemon with the appearance of a ghost. Perhaps he wanted to hide to avoid problems with the FIA who pardoned him in the event Australia. Moreover, in the first qualifying, a session which by some miracle his mechanics managed to save, Pierre thought it well to screw everything up by stripping the wall. No points.
Carlos Sainz: In one of the longest and most demanding weekends of the season, Carlos Sainz is unable to settle in, repeating himself in today's race as well. Baku remains a nightmare for the Spaniard, who we hope will wake up soon.
