It's only Friday but for the teams every moment is precious to find the ideal performance required by the demanding city track of Baku. Red Bull e Ferrari they arrive as front runners and are confirmed as such also during the first day of practice. Not everyone worked as they would have liked on the race pace – let's remember that the FP1 are the only ones that competed at theGrand Prix time - but let's try to see who to deploy at Fanta F1 anyway!
Charles and Max, hunting for the “first time”
The two riders have never been on the podium in Baku. Or rather, Charles did it, but not in Formula 1. In fact, Charles Leclerc has wonderful but also painful memories to associate with the Azeri podium, at the time when he was still racing in Formula 2. The heart turned to the father lost just the day before; the mind at work, a difficult commitment, but to be respected. His anger and determination led him to take 48 of the 50 points available, in a feat that still makes you shiver to think about it.
Different story for Max Verstappen. We last saw him at Baku he was kicking his RB16B, the one that a few months later would take him to his first world title. But believing it was impossible for Max after that event. Baku represents a challenge for the Dutchman who wants to take back what he almost achieved last year. However, you have to start from scratch and bring home the first qualifying but above all the race.
These two guys have hunger, courage and talent to spare. At Fanta F1, however, Charles's 2-0 later Barcelona e Monaco Weighs. With two similar single-seaters, in terms of overall values, it's difficult to choose one but we'll try, for the sake of science in short. Both Ferrari and Red Bull they brought some news. Ferrari in FP2 brought a low-load wing and both pilots improved. The Milton Keynes stable that brought other small but targeted updates, comes from a poker of consecutive victories, and has proved to be very fast. However, to beat the Ferraris once again, adequate efficiency in the slow and good consistency on the race pace will also be needed.
Baku: second guides and outsiders
One of the most unpredictable stages is Baku. And in the year in which some teams are closer, especially in the middle of the standings, a mistake by the front runners could open a gap for all those who can only count on a crazy race to aspire to a podium. Sergio Perez e Sebastian Vettel they are the riders who have collected the most podiums of all in Baku, no less than 3. In the second round of the day, it was the Alpine e Alpha Tauri. For the last words on the race pace, however, we should wait for tomorrow morning. At first glance, the Faenza team would seem to suffer less than the French team, which once again sees Alonso excel over Ocon. Instead, they surprise in the negative Williams e Haas.
So who do I field at Fanta F1?
Never like this time will it be difficult to find a balance. Our recommendations are based on two types of teams, one with a top drivers and one with one mixed team. We will try to keep it as low as possible considering the overall budget of 103 farms. The lucky ones, with more credits can indulge more. Our advice if you can spend more are: focus on Ocon/Bottas/Vettel as mid-level drivers. If you want personalized advice, we invite you to subscribe to our telegram channel!
TOP DRIVER TEAM: credit base 103
Verstappen (39), Gasly (23), Ocon/Vettel* (16), Zhou (12), Stroll (13)
*Based on Saturday morning FP3 and Alpine race pace
MIXED TEAM: credit base 103
Perez (32), Russell (30), Ocon (16), Stroll (13), Zhou (12)
