The numbers speak for themselves: Ferrari looks to the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix with great realism. The Maranello team’s simulations make it quite clear that at the Baku City Circuit the SF21 will not be able to have an impressive pace like the fans saw on the streets of Monte Carlo in Monaco.
“Now begins a part of the season that could be complicated for us” – admitted Laurent Mekies, Ferrari sporting director – “If in Spain the SF21 was clearly the third force on the field and in Monaco our car even showed the potential to win, the situation should be different in the next races, starting with Baku”.
We have repeatedly stressed the fact that the correlation of data between the wind tunnel, the track and the simulator, allowed the Scuderia to immediately show their true potential.
If the indications that emerged from Spain and Monaco confirmed the positive forecasts of the last two GPs, we must also take into consideration the simulation data for the Baku circuit: and the data does not seem to give too much hope of repeating the positive performance in the Principality.
The long straight at the Baku City Circuit certainly does not play in favor of the SF21, while a stronger McLaren is expected, more than ever convinced of defending the third position in the Constructors’ championship: “We are already expecting a very strong McLaren this weekend” – continued Mekies – “Who should adapt very well to the characteristics of the circuit and therefore assume the leadership of the group behind the two teams fighting for the world championship. Just as we believe that Alpine, AlphaTauri and Aston Martin will also be very competitive.”
In short, the Ferrari that challenged Mercedes and Red Bull in Monaco is destined to fight in the center group, where the difference of even just one tenth is capable of making a great selection.
The Scuderia fans don’t have to think about Charles Leclerc’s pole position in Monte Carlo, but they will have to think in more utilitarian terms as the Maranello team attempts to keep third place in the Constructors’ standings within reach.
In the last two races, Scuderia Ferrari has benefited from the excellent work done by the team in understanding the Pirelli tires: it will be interesting to find out what the Reds’ behavior will be on a track that, at least on paper, shouldn’t be favourable to the SF21.
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