The beginning of a brand new chapter within the championship begins in Baku. With Monza marking the tip of the European leg of the 2024 Formulation 1 season, McLaren has emerged as some of the aggressive groups throughout circuits in Europe. This units the stage for McLaren MCL38 single-seater to be a prime contender once more in Azerbaijan, because the championship strikes away from spacious European tracks with large corners to a mixture of circuits with various situations 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 difficulty for McLaren, not like a 12 months in the past. The Woking crew now has a spread of low-drag wings and beam wing choices, up to date between Spa and Monza, giving them an edge over Crimson Bull.
McLaren’s largest energy stays the large working window of the MCL38, essential on a observe the place situations 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, at all times current, is channeled unpredictably by the encircling buildings.
Ferrari optimistic, Crimson Bull a query mark
Scuderia Ferrari additionally seems to be to Baku with optimism. The road circuit encompasses a constant format of quick, 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 point Ferrari struggled with over the summer season.
All eyes, nonetheless, are on Crimson 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 troublesome weekend. That mentioned, the Milton Keynes crew remains to be searching for options to the steadiness problems with the RB20. Baku’s sequence of equally paced corners would possibly 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 troublesome for them as they had been earlier within the 12 months. Nonetheless, the crew in Brackley remains to be grappling with a automotive extremely delicate to exterior situations, resulting in inconsistent efficiency. The W15, which received in July however struggled after the summer season break, may nonetheless problem for victory within the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, relying on how properly they arrange the automotive.
Rising tire degradation
In Baku, Pirelli will once more convey its softest compounds—C3, C4, and C5—which, mixed with a clean, 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 often low on this observe.
As at all times, tire administration can be a key side of the weekend, however braking efficiency can be simply as essential. The Baku circuit has 11 braking zones, with 7 of them involving decelerations exceeding 4 g. Essentially 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 selections and unpredictable moments could make all of the distinction in a battle typically determined by hundredths of a second. One of the vital variables in Baku is slipstreaming on the over 2-kilometer-long start-finish straight, the place crew techniques and qualifying methods have typically come into play.
Beginning grid place is especially essential on this circuit, the place overtaking isn’t as straightforward because the lengthy DRS zones recommend. Excessive prime velocity alone isn’t sufficient to move; the automotive additionally wants to remain near the one in entrance by means of the tight center sector. If on-track overtaking proves too troublesome, frequent Security Automobile or Digital Security Automobile durations supply strategic alternatives, making the Azerbaijan Grand Prix some of the unpredictable races of the 12 months.
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