Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Baku, a fast circuit but surrounded by walls

For the fourth Grand Prix of the season, Formula 1 heads to the border between Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan, before heading to Miami the following weekend. The urban circuit of Baku is particularly popular among sports enthusiasts, notably thanks to its fast straightaways and narrow streets that leave no room for error.

Stretching over 6,003 kilometers, the circuit consists of 51 laps, covering a total distance of 306.049 kilometers – for those who finish the race without hitting the wall. The track features 20 turns and two DRS detection zones: a long straight between turn 19 and 1, followed by a shorter one between turn 2 and 3. It will be crucial to stay focused and make the most of these opportunities for overtaking, before the consecutive turns in the narrow streets.

Baku is the newest street circuit on the calendar, making its first appearance in 2016 as the “European Grand Prix”. The inaugural Azerbaijan Grand Prix then took place in 2017, and saw Daniel Ricciardo crowned as its first-ever winner, driving for Red Bull at the time.

The circuit was designed to be the fastest urban circuit in the world, with a top speed of around 360 km/h and the second longest circuit on the current F1 calendar behind Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium. Charles Leclerc holds the record for the fastest lap, with a time of 1:43.009, set during the 2019 edition.

Let’s note the big change this year in the weekend’s organization: qualifications for the Sunday race will take place on Friday, instead of the second free practice session. Saturday will be entirely dedicated to the sprint: first the qualifying session, which only concerns the sprint race, and then the sprint race itself, which has no influence on the grid for Sunday’s race and is decided on Friday. Are you following?

Pirelli tires

On its part, Pirelli brings its softest tires for this weekend, namely the C3 which will serve as the hards, the medium C4, and the soft C5. For the tire strategy, Pirelli indicates that the key will be to balance the temperature of the front tires and the rear tires. However, it remains to be seen if this softer range will withstand the pressure on the track. We remember very well Max Verstappen’s tire exploding during the race in 2021, as well as Lance Stroll’s a few laps earlier.

« The front axle tires should be hot enough to ensure optimal grip – despite the long straight lines that cool them down – but it is also important not to overheat the rear tires during the traction phase », explains Pirelli. « So, the key is to successfully balance the temperatures between the front and the rear, as there is a high risk of locking and the walls in Azerbaijan do not forgive, as we have seen in previous races here. »

The new organization with the sprint race also presents a new challenge: drivers are required to use a set of medium tires for each of the first two sessions of sprint qualifying, and then a set of soft tires for the final session.

The key to tyres at the #AzerbaijanGP? Balancing tyre temperatures between front and rear 🌡️ #Fit4F1 pic.twitter.com/Iy9fsinSsj

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) April 27, 2023

A new victory for Verstappen, or a surprise from Pérez?

All eyes are on Red Bull for this fourth Grand Prix of the season, with a crushing dominance from the two drivers of the Austrian team, who have monopolized victories since the beginning of the year (2 for Max Verstappen, 1 for Sergio Pérez). Will they continue their unstoppable momentum? It’s highly likely, but Sergio Pérez could possibly create a little surprise in this prevailing monotony, as the Mexican is particularly skilled on urban circuits.

Unless the real surprise comes from Aston Martin and specifically Fernando Alonso, who has had an impressive start to the season and is currently in 3rd place in the drivers’ championship, just 9 points behind Sergio Perez. Another possibility not to be dismissed is a breakthrough from Mercedes, who seem to have regained their form at the Australian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton taking 2nd place. As for Ferrari, it remains to be seen if the curse that seems to be affecting them since the start of the season will fade away in Baku…

This Grand Prix weekend starts on Friday at 11:30 a.m. for the first free practice session. All schedules to know can be found in the TV program.