European Grand Prix Now Azerbaijan Grand Prix
First held in 1983, the European Grand Prix led a fairly nomadic life, appearing on different circuits in Spain, Germany and the UK until it was discontinued after the 2012 Formula 1 season. It was revived in 2016 in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, the small republic in the south Caucasus sandwiched between Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Iran and the Caspian Sea.
The 2016 European Grand Prix was won by Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in second, more than 16 seconds behind him. This year, the race will again take place on the Baku City Circuit, a street circuit laid out in the capital.
However, as the race is now settled in Baku and looks set to remain a part of the Formula 1 championship for the foreseeable future, Sunday’s event is being billed as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the first time.
Vettel Keen to Stay on Top
Vettel is still with Ferrari, of course, although reigning Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion Rosberg has retired from racing, and serves as an ambassador for Mercedes these days. His 2016 teammate, Lewis Hamilton, is now the senior Mercedes driver, although Valtteri Bottas is contesting that distinction strongly.
Vettel and Hamilton are also locked in a battle for supremacy at the top of the 2017 drivers’ championship that swings back and forth like a pendulum. Hamilton’s win at the Canadian Grand Prix on 11 June brought them back to a kind of parity, with three wins each this season, but Vettel also has three second-place finishes and only one fourth, while the British driver has managed only two seconds, a fourth and a seventh this year.
Vettel now has 141 points on the ladder, with Hamilton on 129, Bottas on 93 and Kimi Raikkonen, Vettel’s Ferrari teammate, on 73.
Ricciardo Also One to Watch
The Mercedes-Ferrari tussle will probably garner most of the attention at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but Australian sports betting fans should also consider a punt on Aussie Daniel Ricciardo. The Red Bull-Tag Heuer driver had a frustrating start to his season, as car trouble forced him to retire at both the Australian Grand Prix and the Russian Grand Prix.
However, his team seem to have sorted out the technical difficulties, and Ricciardo has now finished third in three consecutive races: in Barcelona, Monaco and Montreal. He’s sitting fifth on the drivers’ ladder with 67 points, so he will be itching to make the podium again in Baku on Sunday.
More About Cameron Hollands
After working part time in one of Australia’s finest casinos to fund his journalism studies, Cameron Hollands discovered a passion for sports betting. A few years and many successful bets later, he is now putting his considerable experience to good use, and is a regular contributor for australiansportsbetting.net.
Cameron’s expert advice, insight into the sporting world and straightforward reporting style has earned him many fans, and he enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow punters.
You May Also Like:
Mercedes Boss Rejects Claims About New Car
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff this week vehemently rejected all claims regarding the alleged illegality of some of the components of the team’s new car. Wolff’s comments came in response to ….
Verstappen Signs Massive F1 Pay Day
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has scored one of the biggest pay days in the history of Formula One. Verstappen recently signed a new deal understood to be valued at ….
Vettel Calls On F1 To Can Russian GP
German F1 race car driver Sebastian Vettel has called on the FIA to cancel the Russian GP after the country’s military invasion of the Ukraine on Thursday. Vettel, who is ….
Michael Masi Dismissed As F1 Race Director
In a move regarded by many to be a controversial one, and even a form of acknowledgement of error, the FIA this week announced the dismissal of Australian-born race director ….
FIA Will Rule On 2021 Season Only In March
Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton will have to wait two more months to hear the outcome of the FIA’s inquiry into the controversial conclusion of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. ….