The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is an urban circuit but that does not necessarily rhyme with a slow track. The track unfolds for 75% on large almost straight avenues and it is only in the old town where the corners seem less geometrical.
So far, turn 8 required to slow down significantly to be taken in second gear in order to continue until the castle. Now, this turn will be taken more quickly since the FIA has decided to bring the apex 1 meter closer to the wall.
The F1 cars should go through the sequence about 15 km/h faster. To be seen as early as today during practice sessions.
The FIA document specifies that the « curb of turn 8 has been removed to make way for a painted ground » curb.
Baku veränderte Kurve 8 komplett. Es hat nun einen kleineren Curb.
Baku changed Turn 8 completely. It has now a smaller curb.#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/AsJGxfkWCN
— Ahmet CIR F1 (@AhmetCirF1) June 3, 2021
Turn 12 has also been redesigned, even though it has the same shape, the ground paintings have been removed to allow more creativity for the drivers.
The Baku circuit really aims to be the opposite of the Monte Carlo circuit. If in Monaco, like in Baku, mistakes are not forgiven, the speed is very different here and so are the sensations.
