The seventeenth of 24 rounds of the Formulation 1 World Championship, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place this weekend.
It may be considered the ultimate European race of the season, even when the nation sits on the divide between Europe and Asia and has a really completely different ambiance to the opposite races on the Previous Continent.
The Baku Metropolis Circuit is actually uncommon: the 6.003 kilometre-long road observe contains lengthy straights and huge corners in addition to tight and twisty sections that run between the traditional buildings of the previous metropolis. The ultimate part, over two kilometres lengthy is taken flat-out and is often the scene of the important thing moments within the race, whereas the part across the historic citadel is so slender that in components it’s only huge sufficient for only one automotive.
Baku requires a tough compromise, as a automotive will need to have ample aerodynamic downforce to energy out of the sluggish corners within the first and second sectors, however should not be susceptible to assault by the lengthy and really fast closing sector. All 12 months, the observe floor has to cope with every day Baku visitors and due to this fact presents much less grip than everlasting race circuits and this will result in tyre graining. There are two DRS zones, one early on after flip 2 and the second on the principle straight. The Security Automotive is not any stranger to this occasion, having put in ten appearances over the eight Formulation 1 races held right here so far, finishing 45 laps out of a complete of 459, in different phrases 9.8% of all laps from 2016 onwards.
Pirelli has chosen the three softest tyres in its vary for this occasion, the C4 as Arduous, C5 as Medium and C6 as Comfortable. Usually, Baku has all the time been a one-stop race with the bulk beginning on the Medium earlier than switching to the Arduous, this proving to be the simplest technique. Nonetheless, it isn’t past the realms of likelihood to see the Comfortable come into play for a brief stint within the occasion of a Security Automotive look within the later levels of the Grand Prix. The climate has not often been a major consider Baku, even when gusts of wind could make life tough on observe for the drivers.
Fred Vasseur: Baku is all the time an fascinating weekend, with its mixture of lengthy straights and a really technical center sector. It tends to provide unpredictable races and alternatives, so it is crucial that we execute all the pieces to perfection, and we are going to concentrate on ourselves to extract the utmost from the package deal we’ve. The workforce has been working laborious on how we put together for the occasion and our operation over the entire weekend, figuring out that on a road circuit these parts could make an actual distinction. Get this proper and I am certain we are able to ship a robust outcome with each drivers.
Ferrari on the Baku Metropolis Circuit
8 GP Contested2016 Debut European GP (S. Vettel 2nd; Okay. Raikkonen 4th)0 Wins5 (62.50%) Pole positions2 (20.00%) Quickest laps5 (20.83%) Podiums
Three inquiries to Olivier Helvig, Efficiency Engineer.
What sort of aerodynamic compromise is required on the Baku Metropolis Circuit? Olivier Helvig: With one of many longest straights of the season you want the least drag attainable however on the similar time you want good downforce for 2 primary causes: confidence when braking and good grip in low pace corners, that are within the majority at this observe.
How does the excessive chance of Security Automotive deployments have an effect on race preparation? OH: Truly, when it comes to establishing the automotive, not a lot and we are able to simply make just a few small modifications to the set-up. For the technique group it’s extra of a headache, as a result of it will probably have a major influence and as all the time it’s a part of the danger evaluation and analysis of attainable situations to establish the statistically optimum technique or methods based mostly on when a Security Automotive would possibly seem.
Inform us about your self. How did you come to hitch Ferrari, and what does it really feel wish to be a part of Scuderia Ferrari HP? OH: From childhood and, in step with the well-known quote from Enzo Ferrari, I used to be one of many youngsters who selected the purple automotive to play with. Whereas different children have been considering of soccer or music, I used to be already considering of Formulation 1, Ferrari and of engineering Formulation 1 Ferraris.
Being a part of the Scuderia is for me a mixture of reaching my dream, despite the fact that the actual dream is profitable the world championship with this workforce, together with the accountability of giving that satisfaction to the numerous passionate folks like me who love Ferrari. Every single day is an opportunity to study one thing new, be it technical or on the human facet. I’m fortunate to have this chance to immerse myself in Italian tradition, its lifestyle, whereas sharing my ardour with 1000’s of colleagues who work in Formulation 1 or with the Hypercar or the highway automobiles. As a result of for me, they’re all of the one firm.
Details & Figures
2.6. The inhabitants of Baku in thousands and thousands, making the Azerbaijan capital the largest metropolis within the Caucasus and on the shoreline of the Caspian Sea.
40. The several types of pilaf, the nationwide dish of Azerbaijan. Initially from Persia, it was first recorded in Azerbaijan across the 12 months 1000 and have become the nationwide dish. Every variation has hyperlinks to particular areas or stems from native custom. Pilaf is a dish made with steamed long-grain rice mixed with meat, typically lamb or beef, onions, dried fruit together with apricots or raisins, and fragrant spices together with turmeric and saffron. What makes it distinctive is that the substances are cooked individually after which introduced collectively, so that every ingredient retains its distinctive flavour and the rice stays fluffy and the grains separate. In lots of variations, the dish is completed with a golden, crispy crust on the backside of the pot referred to as qazmaq, which provides to its visible attraction and flavour. It’s considered a particular dish and a logo of hospitality, served at celebrations and weddings, with quite a few candy or savoury regional variations.
350. The variety of lively mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan, discovered primarily within the Gobustan and Absheron areas. These volcanoes don’t produce lava, truly throwing up sizzling mud, pure gasoline, and clay, forming cones and swimming pools that may attain a number of metres in top. The phenomenon is attributable to underground oil and gasoline deposits, which push the mud to the floor. Some volcanoes often emit flames, whereas others create surreal landscapes of steaming swimming pools and craters. They’re main vacationer points of interest and areas of geological research, along with being thought of distinctive pure heritage websites. The three most well-known are: Dashgil, on the island of the identical identify within the Caspian Sea. It’s identified for its spectacular eruptions and in July 2021, it produced a large fireball with flames reaching as much as 500 metres excessive, which could possibly be seen as far-off because the capital. This volcano is likely one of the most lively and presents a novel visible expertise. Then there’s Lokbatan, solely 15 km from Baku, identified for its frequent eruptions whereas the Gobustan space is house to over half of Azerbaijan’s mud volcanoes. This area can be well-known for its prehistoric rock carvings, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
4466. The altitude in metres of Mount Bazarduzu, the best peak in Azerbaijan, a rustic finest identified for the truth that a lot of it’s under sea degree. Baku, for instance, is positioned at -28 metres.
12000. The tons of black tea that Azerbaijan imports yearly, despite the fact that it grows some domestically. It’s the nationwide drink and is served in just about each state of affairs, from household visits to enterprise conferences. Historically, a two-level teapot or “caydan” is used, through which a concentrated brew is diluted with sizzling water, so every individual can regulate the energy to their liking. Tea is served in pear-shaped glasses referred to as armudu, which improve its color and retain warmth longer. It’s usually accompanied by native sweets, jams, nuts, dried fruit, and sugar cubes, however by no means served with milk. Ingesting tea is a part of Azerbaijan hospitality and welcoming company with it’s a signal of respect and friendship.
