Feature

Chris Medland’s 2016 Grand Prix of Europe preview

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What time does the Grand Prix of Europe start? What channel is the Grand Prix of Europe on? The answers to all of that and more in F1i’s race preview

Just four days after the Canadian Grand Prix, Formula 1 is back to work in Baku for the inaugural Grand Prix of Europe in Azerbaijan. The only new venue on this year’s calendar, Baku is a surprising mix of old and new, with a city which feels a lot like Budapest, but with Russian influence and a climate at this time of year more akin to Bahrain. The circuit is set to provide a real challenge for the teams, with the track itself combining tight and twist sections near the old town with a long high-speed drag from Turn 16 all the way to Turn 1, a run of 2.1km. And all on a street circuit…

FORM GUIDE

While Mercedes continues to set the benchmark, the pendulum of form has swung from Nico Rosberg to Lewis Hamilton, with the defending champion winning the last two races. Hamilton was pushed all the way by Sebastian Vettel in Canada which bodes well for Ferrari this weekend, as long as it can get its strategy right. Williams was also strong in Montreal and will expect to be quick in Baku too, but the twisty sections will suit Red Bull more. Toro Rosso and Force India should go well, but McLaren is likely to be hampered by high fuel consumption again as in Canada. After the challenge of low track temperatures in Canada, teams will at least find it easier to get heat in their tyres in Baku.

2015 RESULT

N/A - Inaugural race in Baku

SESSION TIMES (All times local)

FP1: 13:00 - 14:30

FP2: 17:00 - 18:30

FP3: 14:00 - 15:00

Qualifying: 17:00 - 18:00

Race: 1700

TYRE CHOICES

©Pirelli

WEATHER FORECAST

After two weather affected weekends, Baku is going to see a much more stable weekend. Hot and dry conditions are set to prevail throughout, with teams set to face high temperatures above 30C on every day. Track temperatures will be very high, while an extra challenge will come from strong winds, with Friday set to see gusts over 40mph.

UK TELEVISION TIMINGS (All times UK)

Sky Sports F1 - Live coverage

FP1 - 0945

FP2 - 1345

FP3 - 1045

Qualifying - 1300

Race - 1230

Channel 4 - Live coverage

FP1 - 0955

FP2 - 1355 (on MORE 4)

FP3 - 1055

Qualifying - 1300

Race - 1300

PODIUM PREDICTION

1st - Sebastian Vettel

2nd - Lewis Hamilton

3rd - Nico Rosberg

WEDNESDAY BEST SHOT

Technical analysis - Canada

Scene at the Canadian Grand Prix

Canadian Grand Prix - Quotes of the week

Breakfast with ... David Hobbs

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.