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 prime contender once more in Azerbaijan, because the championship strikes away from spacious European tracks with broad 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 now not poses a difficulty for McLaren, in contrast to a 12 months in the past. The Woking group now has a variety 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 broad 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 appears to Baku with optimism. The road circuit encompasses a constant format of brief, gradual, 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, nonetheless, 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 mentioned, the Milton Keynes group remains to be in search of 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 enable 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 now 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, might nonetheless problem for victory within the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, relying on how nicely they arrange the automobile.
Rising tire degradation
In Baku, Pirelli will once more convey 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 increased ambient temperatures, possible rising tire degradation, which is often low on this observe.
As all the time, tire administration will probably be a key facet 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. Essentially the most intense braking happens at turns 1 and three, the place drivers expertise as much as 4.7 g, main Brembo to price 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 usually determined by hundredths of a second. Some of the vital variables in Baku is slipstreaming on the over 2-kilometer-long start-finish straight, the place group techniques and qualifying methods have usually come into play.
Beginning grid place is especially vital on this circuit, the place overtaking isn’t as simple because the lengthy DRS zones counsel. Excessive prime 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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