In qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP, the Red Bull cars started very well. The technicians worked to improve the balance of the fastest lap in the morning free practice. On the RB18s, the engineers discarded the front wing with the cut top flap returning to the ‘full’ one to reduce understeer. Max Verstappen still didn’t seem perfectly comfortable when it came to getting everything out of the car, although he remains extremely confident for tomorrow. As explained by Giuliano Duchessa for formu1a.uno, the two drivers opted for setup choices that were not too similar.
The Dutchman seems to have configured a slightly lighter and mechanically softer car, which guarantees better traction. Sergio Perez opted for a slightly higher incidence and more stiffness, something that helps braking and engagement in Baku as well as maintaining a more correct temperature on the front. It will be interested to see which will prove to be the most profitable balance over the race and on the tires, and whether this does not reveal a strategy whcih is not identical in terms of compound preference.
Sergio Perez continues on the good trail of confidence after the prestigious victory in Monaco and the two-year renewal. After all, when it is necessary to manage understeer rather than oversteer, the experienced Mexican confirms himself as a good driver and very close to the world champion. The layout of Baku for some reason seems to fit perfectly with his driving style, it is no coincidence that Azerbaijan he achieved great results, beyond the victory – actually a bit lucky – of 2021, even with cars less exceptional.
Milton Keynes’ car remains the benchmark in terms of overall efficiency. However, the time gap with Ferrari dropped significantly. From the gps data it can be noticed that Perez only gained 2 tenths of a second to Charles Leclerc in the four straights. A gap not enough to secure pole because the Monegasque was better in every corner in his final lap, on average from 3 km / h to 7 km / h.
While it is at the Castle that Charles has been able to produce a performance that made the difference: an advantage of 10 km \ h in turn 11, with a peak of 14 km \ h in traction! This performance therefore allowed him to obtain a hefty advantage of around 5 tenths over Red Bulls. The only chance for Max and Checo to beat him would have been to find or perfectly ‘organize’ a tow.
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The new Ferrari low-load wing worked
The F1-75 reduced the gap on the straight, confirming the good results seen in the second free practice session with the new rear wing. This element initially should have made its debut in Miami, but according to the technicians there were not the necessary grip conditions. However, perhaps the introduction of the advanced floor – brought to Barcelona – was expected to descend with greater ease of impact without being massively penalized in the medium corners.
The wing has a different design than the standard spoon with which it was created, used as far as Miami. The layout of the mobile flap is conceptually similar to that already introduced in Barcelona. In Spain, compared to the old “more exciting” specification, it guaranteed about 4 km \ h of increase in aerodynamic efficiency, both with open and closed Drs.
In Baku that increase in speed has risen to over 7 km \ h. Basically with the old specification the Red Bull cars would have had the speed advantage seen in Jeddah. This does not mean anything else that the F1-75 will have an extra weapon – in addition to the proven traction qualities – to counterattack with DRS. Of course Red Bull remain the favourite, however the F1-75 will now be less weak.
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