The beginning of a brand new chapter within the championship begins in Baku. With Monza marking the top of the European leg of the 2024 Formulation 1 season, McLaren has emerged as one of the vital aggressive groups throughout circuits in Europe. This units the stage for McLaren MCL38 single-seater to be a high contender once more in Azerbaijan, because the championship strikes away from spacious European tracks with vast corners to a mixture of circuits with various circumstances and climates.
McLaren poised for assault
Baku kicks off this part, with a circuit not as quick as Monza’s, averaging 215 kilometers per hour per lap in comparison with Monza’s 260 kilometers per hour. Regardless of this, Baku’s lengthy straights demand a low-downforce setup, a configuration that not poses a problem for McLaren, in contrast to a 12 months in the past. The Woking group now has a spread of low-drag wings and beam wing choices, up to date between Spa and Monza, giving them an edge over Purple Bull.
McLaren’s greatest power stays the vast working window of the MCL38, essential on a observe the place circumstances can range considerably. This contains the asphalt temperature, with the shadows of buildings creating various temperature and grip ranges throughout the circuit. Moreover, the wind, all the time current, is channeled unpredictably by the encircling buildings.
Ferrari optimistic, Purple Bull a query mark
Scuderia Ferrari additionally seems to Baku with optimism. The road circuit includes a constant structure of brief, sluggish, 90-degree corners that spotlight traction and mechanical grip, areas the place Ferrari feels assured in matching McLaren. The absence of lengthy, high-speed corners typical of European circuits removes a weak spot Ferrari struggled with over the summer time.
All eyes, nevertheless, are on Purple Bull following their struggles in Italy. The Monza circuit was a catastrophe for the reigning champions, and they’re unlikely to face one other such tough weekend. That stated, the Milton Keynes group remains to be looking for options to the steadiness problems with the RB20. Baku’s sequence of equally paced corners may assist them discover a higher steadiness, however the want for a low-downforce setup received’t permit them to cover the inherent dealing with challenges of the RB20.
Mercedes additionally stays within the combine. Tracks that spotlight traction and rear tire administration are not as tough for them as they had been earlier within the 12 months. Nevertheless, the group in Brackley remains to be grappling with a automobile extremely delicate to exterior circumstances, resulting in inconsistent efficiency. The W15, which received in July however struggled after the summer time break, may nonetheless problem for victory within the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, relying on how properly they arrange the automobile.
Rising tire degradation
In Baku, Pirelli will once more deliver its softest compounds—C3, C4, and C5—which, mixed with a easy, low-grip observe floor, will make it difficult to extract peak efficiency over a single lap. The September date for this race, versus April, additionally brings greater ambient temperatures, seemingly growing tire degradation, which is normally low on this observe.
As all the time, tire administration will probably be a key side of the weekend, however braking efficiency will probably be simply as essential. The Baku circuit has 11 braking zones, with 7 of them involving decelerations exceeding 4 g. Probably the most intense braking happens at turns 1 and three, the place drivers expertise as much as 4.7 g, main Brembo to charge the circuit as 4 out of 5 when it comes to braking severity.
Key variables
The 2024 Formulation 1 season has proven how strategic choices and unpredictable moments could make all of the distinction in a battle typically determined by hundredths of a second. One of the vital important variables in Baku is slipstreaming on the over 2-kilometer-long start-finish straight, the place group techniques and qualifying methods have typically come into play.
Beginning grid place is especially vital on this circuit, the place overtaking isn’t as straightforward because the lengthy DRS zones recommend. Excessive high pace alone isn’t sufficient to go; the automobile additionally wants to remain near the one in entrance via the tight center sector. If on-track overtaking proves too tough, frequent Security Automotive or Digital Security Automotive intervals supply strategic alternatives, making the Azerbaijan Grand Prix one of the vital unpredictable races of the 12 months.
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