Following a three-week break after the incident-filled Melbourne race, Formula One is again in motion with Baku staging Round 4 of the 2023 F1 World Championship, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. F1Technical’s Balazs Szabo picks out the key moments of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Debut – Baku made its debut in 2016, introducing a brand new kind of avenue circuit in comparison with sluggish avenue tracks. In distinction to the twisting format and low common speeds related to present non permanent tracks akin to Monaco, the capital of Azerbaijan constructed its observe round a formidable 2.2-kilometre-long essential straight.
Leclerc – The official observe document belongs to Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc who recorded a 1m43. 009 when the discipline visited the fabulous metropolis of Baku in 2019.
6.003km – The Baku City Circuit is the third longest race observe on the present Formula One calendar, solely Spa-Franchorchamps and Jeddah mendacity ahead.
Eighteen – Lance Stroll was 18 years and 239 days outdated when he claimed his first podium end throughout the 2017 Baku race. The Canadian was operating second in the race, however he was then crushed by Valtteri Bottas, taking third in the finish.
Six– So far, Baku has hosted F1 race on six events. The race has been gained by completely different drivers every time. Nico Rosberg gained the inaugural occasion in 2016, Daniel Ricciardo emerged victorious in 2017 whereas Lewis Hamilton took the victory in 2018 after inheriting the lead three laps from end when his team-mate Valtteri Bottas suffered a puncture. The Finn lastly got here out on high in 2019 whereas Sergio Perez gained the Baku race in 2021 after his crew mate Max Verstappen misplaced an in any other case simple victory on account of a puncture. Last yr noticed reigning champion Verstappen safe his first victory in Azerbaijan.
Mercedes and Red Bull territory – Mercedes and Red Bull have been the most profitable groups in Azerbaijan thus far. The Brackley-based outfit have gained thrice in Baku whereas Red Bull have additionally clinched three victories courtesy of Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.
Winds – The Baku City Circuit is thought for its eventful races – that’s what has made the nonetheless recent addition to the race calendar one of the most spectacular races in its quick historical past in the sport. Baku has the identify of the City of Winds as a result of it’s windy all through most of the yr. According to the Azerbaijani mythology and beliefs, the fixed winds are associated to the wrestle of Good and Evil.
What’s the optimum technique for the #AzerbaijanGP? 🇦🇿
These are thought of the greatest choices 👇 #Fit4F1 pic.twitter.com/5i0SBv4hnO
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) April 30, 2023
One-stop strategy- Pirelli thinks that the 51-lap Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a transparent one-stopper, beneath regular circumstances. But there are two methods to method it, and in addition a excessive security automobile likelihood, which might flip issues round completely.
The simplest way is to start out on the P Zero Yellow medium after which transfer onto the P Zero White exhausting. This offers a large pit cease window and due to this fact lots of choices, making it conservative selection. Those wishing to strive one thing a bit edgier might use exhausting to tender. Stopping two occasions is clearly the slower method, however these choosing a two-stop technique is predicted to start out on the medium earlier than switching to the exhausting compound for the final two stints.
Two DRS zones – There might be two DRS zones in right this moment’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The first can have its detection level at the SC2 line whereas its activation zone might be at 54m after Turn 2. The second one can have a detection level at Turn 20 with its activation level positioned 447m after Turn 20 which implies that the second DRS zone has been made shorter by 100m for this yr.
Race distance – Drivers might want to full 51 laps in complete to cowl the complete race distance of 306.049km. The pitlane velocity restrict might be 80kph throughout the race.
Old a brand new – Baku as a metropolis mixes the outdated with the new and the circuit exhibits off this mix properly. Numerous fashionable high-rise inns and skyscrapers are dotted round the circuit’s perimeter. But as magnificent as some of these buildings are, none of them sit fairly as near the motion as the fortress partitions of Baku’s outdated metropolis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Seven – Shops are open seven days per week and usually open round at 10 a.m. and shut round 10 p.m. Offices and banks are typically open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. from Monday till Friday.
Sunrise – Baku is the first European metropolis which the solar rises in.
Caspian Sea – Baku lies on the jap facet of Azerbaijan and is surrounded by the Caspian Sea which is the world’s largest lake. At 28 metres under sea degree, Baku is the lowest mendacity nationwide capital in the world.
3 million – Baku is residence to three million folks which makes it the largest metropolis on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus area.
Neft Dashari – The metropolis is known for the distinctive Oil Rocks which is the largest inhabited and oldest oil metropolis in the world, mendacity in the center of the Caspian Sea.
City of Contrasts’ – Baku earned this title with having completely mixed the magnificence and intrigue of its historical previous with its ambition to determine itself as a contemporary European metropolis that includes award successful structure, enterprise centres and skyscrapers.
Tipping – It will not be anticipated throughout Azerbaijan however is frequent in Baku. Occasionally a service cost is included on the invoice, significantly in additional established inns and eating places.
Manat – The nationwide forex is the Azerbaijani Manat. The Manat notes are available 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 denominations. Interestingly, it isn’t potential to change different forex into Manat in international locations aside from Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani – That is how the official language of Azerbaijan is known as. However, many individuals communicate additionally Russian, Turkish and English.
