2022 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying Update and Preview

Now, it is time for James Punt’s 2022 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying update.

With the FP3 session overrunning due to barrier repairs after an F2 crash, the gap between the end of that session and qualifying is very short. I doubt the bookies will get much more than the outright betting for pole put up in time for this preview.

We are already on Charles Leclerc for pole at 2.15 and as usual he has been there or thereabouts in all three sessions. However, it is Sergio Perez who has been fastest in two of the three sessions, including FP3. There was only 0.07 between the two and it is looking like Perez is the pick of the Red Bull drivers again this weekend. He was faster than Verstappen in every session in Monaco, and he has been faster in every session here too.

Confidence Boost

The confidence of a win in Monaco, a new contract and on a track that he loves, seems to have moved Perez up a notch or two. Hopefully Leclerc can muster up another couple of tenths and get pole, but Perez looks to have a decent chance to beat his teammate once again.

Max had set the fastest first sector on his final run in FP3, but was blocked by Alonso and had to abort, but Perez looks the more comfortable on this track.

Leclerc is now 2.25 with Unibet, Verstappen 3.40 in a place and Perez 3.75. The odds for a Perez pole do look a bit generous, but Leclerc is a beast in qualifying. It could also just come down to who gets a lucky tow down the finishing straight and that is anyone’s guess.

I will add just one more bet for qualifying and that is for Perez to out qualify Verstappen. Just like in Monaco, he has looked the better driver all weekend and he is confident on this track.

2022 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying Tip: 1 point Sergio Perez to beat Max Verstappen @ 2.05 with Ladbrokes

Tomorrows update will be posted about 30 minutes before the start of the race, earlier if possible.

-JamesPunt