After the good performance in Monaco, unfortunately also characterized by Charles Leclerc’s pre-race retirement, Scuderia Ferrari is preparing to face the challenges of the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan. As we have already had the opportunity to analyze, the Maranello team is well aware of the fact that Baku could bring out some of its most serious shortcomings. One of all the lack of power that will surely make itself felt when the SF21 finds itself on the long straight that leads to the finish line.
Talking about the characteristics of the track and the way the team is preparing to face the next race weekend, we look at the comments of the Scuderia ‘s track manager, Matteo Togninalli: “Baku has some truly unique characteristics. It is a street circuit in which we find one of the longest straights in the entire world: an extension of 2 km in which the engine will remain at full speed for 22/24 seconds. Apart from this, in all other sectors we will find a prevalence of very slow turns. To give us an idea, the average speed and lateral forces in these corners will be lower even than in Monaco ”.
“One of the challenges we will be called to face as engineers” – the technician thus begins to list the key points of the weekend – “will be to decide on the setup of the car. The first of the questions that will arise will be: is it a low or high load circuit? Although there are some straight sections, the second sector in particular will be very difficult and demanding for the drivers. Which brings us to the next question: do we want the drivers to have more confidence in the car, or do we want to bring more speed on the straight?”
“The final decision will be made after a careful analysis of the data that will not only be based on our work on the track, but also on what our staff at home will get from the simulation systems. In these days, both our drivers Charles and Carlos have had the opportunity to test in the simulator and this will allow us to reach a good compromise to get the best lap time for what our car’s potential is” – Matteo Togninalli explained, before reflecting on one of the aspects that has value on all the city circuits: “One of the crucial factors, being on a street circuit, will be to give the driver a car which he can place absolute trust. The walls are close and the driver must be able to push the car to the limit until it touches them.”
Finally, the other element on which the team will focus its attention will be the tires, since Pirelli has decided to bring the softer compound in its arsenal: “For the first time on this track we will be able to rely on the use of the softest compounds: the C3 (Hard), the C4 (Medium) and the C5 (Soft)”.
“In the previous editions we often found ourselves struggling with graining and with a high degradation of the softer compound (in 2019, for example, it was a C4)” says the Ferrari technician to conclude with a thread of concern – “This will be one of the main issues on which we will have to focus our attention starting from free practice on Friday. Furthermore, the smooth asphalt will not make it easy to bring the compounds into their correct operating window . This could be further complicated by the high temperatures that are expected over the weekend, according to forecasts“.
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