Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli bringing The softest tyres in their range for the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
For the first time, C3 as the P Zero White hard, C4 as the P Zero Yellow medium, and C5 as the P Zero Red soft are available at Baku streets. Notably, this is a step softer than 2019 (the last time that the race was run) and the same nomination as Monaco.
Pirelli says, “The choice has been made in order to introduce an extra strategic element: last time, the hard compound wasn’t used at all during the race. Going a step softer now brings the hard choice into play and encourages more variety in the strategies.
The track surface on the Baku street circuit is one of the less aggressive in terms of asphalt roughness and does not take a lot of energy out of the tyres, making the softest compounds in the range an optimal choice.”
Baku has been described by drivers in the past as having the complexity of Monaco with the speed of Monza. While this isn’t precisely the case, it gives a good insight into the nature of the fastest and longest street circuit on the calendar from a driver’s perspective.
Aside from that, Baku has all the characteristics expected from a street circuit: a ‘green’ and slippery surface that is likely to evolve quickly, especially as it has not been used for two years.
The barriers are unforgiving and it’s also extremely narrow at one point (Turn 9): all of which elevates the likelihood of a safety car, obviously affecting race strategy in turn.
What is the Best Strategy to Win the Race ?
The winning strategy last time was a one-stop soft-medium, used by the top four. Charles Leclerc finished fifth for Ferrari by doing the opposite: medium to soft (plus a second late stop for more softs to set the fastest lap). There was quite a wide pit stop window, with some long stints seen on the medium C3 tyre (now the hard for this year’s race) in particular.
Baku is nicknamed the ‘city of winds’ due to its frequent and variable windy weather. This obviously affects aerodynamic balance on what is already a tricky track in terms of set-up.
Due to the long straight in Baku, the teams tend to run low downforce levels. This clearly puts the emphasis on mechanical grip from the tyres throughout the 20 demanding corners.
