Pirelli pinpoint track evolution and weather as two key factors in Baku

The final third of the 2024 Formula One season kicks off in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, traditionally founded by Alexander the Great, with the name (in Arabic Bākuh, Bākūh, or Bākūyā) derived from the Persian bād Kūbac, meaning “wind strike.” It has hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2016, with the exception of 2020. Of the seven events held so far, the first in 2016 was named the European Grand Prix, but from the following year, it took the name of the host country. A novelty this year is its placement in the calendar: previously, it was always held in April or June, but now it is in September, and the same will happen next year, a change made to better harmonize the schedule logistically.

As is tradition on a street circuit, the dry compounds selected by Pirelli for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend are the softest in the range, with C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium, and C5 as Soft. The track, 6.003 kilometers long, has remained largely unchanged since 2016 and features 20 corners: some practically right-angled, like the first seven, others very slow as the track enters the old part of the city, and others that are taken flat out as they form part of a nearly two-kilometer straight leading to the finish line. The track width varies greatly: from seven meters at turn 8 to enough space for three cars to go side by side on the main straight.

With a surface usually driven on by city traffic, track evolution will be an important factor to consider in performance evaluations, as will weather conditions. Normally, in September, temperatures are quite high, certainly higher than when the race was held in April. Furthermore, it should be noted that asphalt temperature can vary significantly based on sunlight and the shade created by buildings, especially in the old town section. Last but not least, the wind can destabilize the cars, disturbing handling, and it can come from different directions as it funnels through the urban structure’s corridors.

The Baku track holds the record for the highest speed reached by a Formula 1 car in an official event: the 378 km/h reached by Valtteri Bottas in a Williams-Mercedes during the 2016 qualifying session has not yet been surpassed. The high speed on the long main straight will put tires to the test, especially given the loads generated by the cars: with two parts of the track requiring opposing aerodynamic configurations, teams cannot opt for too low a downforce setup to avoid being penalized in the slower sections, relying on the grip generated by the tires to extract the best performance. However, Pirelli’s current range has proven its reliability even under extreme conditions.

In terms of strategies, Baku is typically a one-stop race, with the harder compounds playing a key role. Despite what might be expected from the track layout, overtaking is not easy: in this year’s situation, where the performance differences within the two main groups of teams are minimal, the effectiveness of DRS could be a key factor, as well as the ability to react to unforeseen events: the likelihood of a neutralization is very high. In 2023, almost all drivers started the race on Medium tires before switching to Hards when the safety car came out on lap 11.

Only one driver, Sergio Perez, has won more than once on this circuit. The Mexican triumphed in Baku in 2021 and 2023, the latter being the year he also won the Sprint race, further confirming his comfort on street circuits, where he has claimed six of his seven Formula 1 victories. If Checo is the king of Baku, Charles Leclerc is the prince of qualifying in the Azerbaijani capital. The Monegasque has taken three consecutive pole positions from 2021 to 2023, and last year, he was also the fastest in the Sprint Shootout. In terms of teams, Red Bull and Ferrari have opposite statistics: Red Bull holds the record for most wins (four) but has never secured pole position, while Ferrari leads in pole positions (four, also thanks to Sebastian Vettel) but has never won, with only four podium finishes (Mercedes and Red Bull each have six).

Minimum starting pressures (Slick)
Front: 26.5 psi
Rear: 25.5 psi