AZERBAIJAN
F1

Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake battle it out at Baku City Circuit this weekend

Each track is unique in its own way. Some of the courses visited by Formula One during a season present a distinct technical challenge, demanding talent and pushing both drivers and equipment to their limits. Others work with the weather to put those in the cockpit (and the garage) through their paces; yet others, like Monaco, are so distinctive that they transcend categorization, demanding mental fortitude and superhuman focus simply to cross the finish line.

The Baku City Circuit is no exception: it’s a track that has swiftly earned a spot on the calendar as a very unique challenge, no doubt assisted by some great, unpredictable races in the six events it has held so far.

On paper, the circuit along the Caspian Sea’s beaches appears to be simple. The 90-degree turns, which are common on many street courses, appear to be minor hurdles put in the path of the drivers as they traverse the racing surface. Long straights, kinks leading into stop-start portions – aside from the unbelievably tight castle section, there appears to be nothing to give drivers with a genuine challenge. But don’t be fooled by looks; Baku’s track record is not to be overlooked.

This track, like a hippopotamus drifting half-submerged in a river, hides its aggressiveness under the most gentle aspect. This track, like the enormous mammal, may bite – hard. Over the years, its walls have taken legendary scalps; mundane races have been flipped upside down by mishaps and safety vehicles; and unexpected outcomes have appeared from nowhere. Baku has an edge; it has a vicious side that waits in ambush for the unwary.

Baku’s slogan is “the home of street fighters,” and those statements are accurate. Races here may quickly become into battles: every lap presents a danger, an opportunity, and the possibility of a reward. Coming home with a decent result here necessitates tenacity and determination; you must battle for every inch of tarmac while also fighting AGAINST every inch of tarmac.

This week is a chance for Valtteri and Zhou to prove their worth. Valtteri is a Baku specialist: he won here in 2019, is second among current drivers in laps led here, and has the all-time best lap here. Zhou has made close combat and daring manoeuvres his trademark: he’s ideal for this. Both will arrive at this event prepared for the battle ahead.

This weekend will also have an element of risk. The new sprint format for this event limits practise to just one session: the onus is on the crew to set up the vehicle in such a short period of time, with minimal data; and on the drivers to understand the course from the first handful of laps.

All of these factors combine to make this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix a task not to be underestimated. The trail running beside the Caspian Sea, like the hippo waiting in the water, is a risk that should not be underestimated.

Priyadarshan G

Priyadarshan G

priyadarshan

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