The trace data from Baku qualifying was less perfect than usual, the clearest example being Bottas’ trace on the second straight, but the traces have been synced as best I could.

Bottas vs Hamilton

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Hamilton has a marginally higher straightline speed throughout the straights, likely aided by the tow from Bottas because he was closer to Bottas than Bottas was to Norris (from the driver tracker). The net effect of this is worth only a tenth or so from the time delta. A poor T1 and T2 by Hamilton allows Bottas to gain almost 0.25s, and then the two drivers trade blows in the following turns, except for T7-12 where Hamilton claws back what he lost at the start. Bottas also opts for a lower gear in T2, T7 and T8-12, which cost him time to Hamilton due the lower apex speeds here as well as getting on the power slightly later.

Bottas vs Vettel

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Slow corner performance here is for the most part fairly even, apex speeds are sometimes higher for Vettel and vice versa. The throttle traces however show that Bottas is able to get on the power a little earlier, perhaps indicating better traction performance here. The key difference is T11-12 where Vettel is signficantly slower than Bottas, even having to apply a bit of brake for T12. T16 is also relatively weak for Vettel, the Ferrari just not able to carry the speed here. Vettel did not have a tow on his lap whereas Bottas did, and on the three long full throttle sections Vettel loses approx 0.3s so perhaps pole really was in reach, just.

Bottas vs Verstappen

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Corner performance from Verstappen and Red Bull is once again as good as or close to Mercedes, though as written above, from the throttle traces again indicate better traction performance for Bottas and Mercedes. Like Vettel, Verstappen is also much slower than Bottas through T11-12 and T16. In the former perhaps he takes a different line and sacrifices T11 for a better T12, but this doesn’t matter because Bottas is able to go just as quick through both with no trade off.

Bottas vs Perez

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As expected from a car in the midfield, Force India and Perez are slower throughout to Mercedes, though T4, T7, and T15 are pretty close. As both teams run the same PU, the RPM on the straights for Perez is generally higher due to the lower drag on the Force India.