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Tyres NorthamptonFormula One returns to action this weekend, where the teams and drivers are in for a very different street circuit challenge after Monaco for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The race around the city of Baku features right-angle corners galore but also a long final sector that is 25 seconds of flat out speed to create one of the biggest setup headaches on the F1 calendar.
Since its introduction in 2016, the Baku City Circuit has provided the sport with some chaotic races filled with overtakes, collisions, and crashes around its 6km layout. Even when there's been a relatively dull Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a clash between the leaders under the safety car, teammates colliding, or a tyre blowout has always made each race an unmissable event.
With the circuit boasting no fewer than three flat-out areas – albeit not always full straights – together with slow-speed narrow corners around the city's castle, car setups can wildly differ. For example, some teams and drivers may opt for a high downforce approach to be on rails through the many corners of the second sector, but this will leave them vulnerable down the straights. Inversely, those opting for a low drag solution will blast past their rivals in the two DRS zones, but others could close up elsewhere in the lap.
As with all the tracks this year, the new cars racing around Baku represents another weekend of unknowns with the radical 2022 regulation change. If drivers can follow closely in the high-speed corners, they may find themselves overtaking earlier in the straights than we've seen previously – or perhaps even in unexpected parts of the circuit.
Any teams that have not got on top of their porpoising problems will be most vulnerable here. A combination of mid-high downforce and a fast, bumpy street circuit might mean some drivers could bounce their way down the entire length of the final 2km straight.
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The 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku has the teams with Pirelli's softest tyre compounds. The C3, C4 and C5 were also in action at Monaco, although the circuits are anything but similar. These are the same tyre compounds that Pirelli brought to the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and you may recall the scenes where Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll suffered unexpected tyre blowouts when hurtling down the main straight.
Unlike the rain-affected Monaco Grand Prix last time out, there are no weather concerns for the race, so we shouldn't see the wet or intermediate Pirellis. Temperatures are forecast to be in the 20°C's, and unless the tyre degradation is unexpectedly high, it's likely to be a one-stop strategy for Sunday's race. Most drivers chose to run on the soft Pirelli tyres to start the race in 2021 before moving to the hards for their final stint.
Although Sergio Perez overcame the odds of gaining places around the streets of Monaco, the pace seemed to be in Ferrari's favour at Monte Carlo. Whether that will continue in Azerbaijan is tough to predict. However, it's fair to say that Red Bull and their Italian rival's cars are relatively equal in 2022, so it's likely to be the power unit that decides the Grand Prix victor.
Perez took his first and, up until Monaco, only race win in Red Bull colours at Baku in 2021 after Verstappen's late-race DNF. With the Mexican's freshly signed contract in hand, could having a confirmed future mean Checo drives better, as we've seen with Valtteri Bottas at Alfa Romeo? Perez gave up the win in Spain to Verstappen and would be just one point behind his teammate in the championship if not for that team order.
From a British perspective, George Russell and Lando Norris were the best of the rest in Monaco as the Mercedes-powered cars continued to inch closer to the front. Along with Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo, the Mercedes and McLaren teams aren't quite there to fight for a win. However, should the big two constructors face issues, it'll likely be one of those four drivers looking to pounce. Sebastian Vettel and Pierre Gasly made the 2021 podium, highlighting how unpredictable an Azerbaijan Grand Prix can be.
Qualifying is on at 3PM on Saturday, while the Grand Prix begins at 12PM.
Qualifying – On air: 2PM, Session start: 3PM Saturday 11th June
Race – On air: 10:30PM, Session start: 12PM Sunday 12th June
Qualifying – 10PM Saturday 11th June
Race – 6:30PM Sunday 12th June
Qualifying – Dry running with sunshine. Air temperature is forecast for a high of 29°C and a low of 20°C.
Race – Dry running with sunshine, but the earlier start time should mean higher temperatures than Qualifying. air temperature high of 30°C and a low of 20°C
