INDIA in F1

Tag: Baku

  • Oscar Piastri takes second career win as McLaren moves to top of team table

    Oscar Piastri takes second career win as McLaren moves to top of team table

    Baku City, 15 Sept. 2024: Oscar Piastri came out on top in a thrilling battle with Charles Leclerc to take his second career win and send McLaren soaring to the top of the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship standings. Meanwhile, a late-race collision with Carlos Sainz dumped Sergio Pérez out of a podium finish and handed third place to Mercedes’ George Russell in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a round of the Formula 1 World Championship here on Sunday. 

    When the start lights went out, pole sitter Leclerc got away well from Piastri but behind them Pérez drew level with Sainz before making his way past the Spaniard on the approach to Turn 2 to take second place. Behind them, Verstappen reacted well to the lights and he also profited in Turn 2, muscling past Mercedes’ George Russell to take fifth place. 

    Further back, after starting from P16, Norris was on a march and by lap four the McLaren driver was already on the cusp of the points in P11.

    At the front, Leclerc was initially unable to break DRS and shake Piastri, but on lap 8 the Ferrari driver turned up the wick and over the following three laps the Ferrari driver carved out a three second gap to the Australian and to Pérez who was comfortably staying in touch with the battle for the lead. 

    On lap 11, Williams’ Franco Colapinto was the first of the top 10 to make a pit stop, followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and on lap 13 Verstappen headed into the pits to shed Medium tyres that he said were offering no grip. 

    Pérez followed his team-mate to the pit lane at the end of the following lap and with Piastri still on track, the Red Bull driver pushed to make the undercut work. The Red Bull driver had emerged behind long -running Hard tyres starter Norris, however, and McLaren were swiftly on the radio to tell their driver to hold the Mexican up through the Old Town. 

    Pérez had to wait until he had DRS before he could power past Norris and the short delay was enough to allow Piastri to pit and rejoin just ahead of the Red Bull. Further up the track, Leclerc made his own stop for Hards, holding the lead as he returned to the circuit. 

    Piastri, more comfortable on the Hard tyres, closed in and at the start of lap 20, the Australian used DRS on the pit straight to power past the Ferrari into Turn 1 and steal the lead. 

    Behind the leaders, Verstappen also looked to be gaining ground on the Hard tyres, and he soon closed up to Sainz, The pair quickly came up on the slower Norris and Albon and though Sainz soon made his way past the McLaren, Verstappen found himself stuck behind a stubbornly defensive title rival. The Dutchman then began to wear his rears, saying his car was “bouncing around and losing contact”, and he was soon ambushed by Russell. 

    At the front, Leclerc was pushing to find a way past Piastri and on lap 33 he mounted his most serious attack since surrendering the lead. The Ferrari driver closed up under DRS on the pit straight forcing Piastri to defend the inside line. The McLaren driver held the lead but the battle allowed Pérez to close in and join the battle as the race edged towards two-thirds distance.

    Norris finally made his sole stop on lap 38 and he rejoined 15 seconds behind Verstappen. The McLaren driver, with fresh Medium tyres on board, quickly began to post fastest race laps and he eventually powered past the struggling Dutchman with a handful of laps left. 

    At the front the final third of the race developed into a cat and mouse battle, with Leclerc probing and pushing to provoke a mistake from Piastri and with Pérez seeking to profit from any battle. 

    And when Leclerc suddenly began to slip and slide on worn tyres in the closing stages, Pérez tried to pounce. However, after almost getting past the Ferrari in Turn 1, he was forced to back out and Sainz drew alongside. The Ferrari appeared to get too close and as they powered towards Turn 2 there was contact. both spun into the wall. 

    The race was closed out under a Virtual Safety Car. Piastri stretched out to take his second career win ahead of Leclerc, while Russell inherited third place ahead of Norris and with Max in sixth place. Fernando Alonso took sixth for Aston Martin ahead of the Williams pair of Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished ninth and the final point went to Haas’ Oliver Bearman. 

    2024 FIA Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Race 
    1 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 51 1:32’58.007 
    2 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 51 1:33’08.917 10.910
    3 George Russell Mercedes 51 1:33’29.335 31.328
    4 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 51 1:33’34.150 36.143
    5 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 51 1:34’15.105 1’17.098
    6 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 51 1:34’23.475 1’25.468
    7 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 51 1:34’25.403 1’27.396
    8 Franco Colapinto Williams/Mercedes 51 1:34’27.548 1’29.541
    9 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 51 1:34’30.408 1’32.401
    10 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 51 1:34’31.134 1’33.127
    11 Nico Hülkenberg Haas/Ferrari 51 1:34’31.472 1’33.465
    12 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 51 1:34’55.196 1’57.189
    13 Daniel Ricciardo RB/Honda RBPT 51 1:35’24.914 2’26.907
    14 Zhou Guanyu Sauber/Ferrari 51 1:35’26.848 2’28.841
    15 Esteban Ocon Alpine/Renault 50 1:33’19.351 1 lap /21.344
    16 Valtteri Bottas Sauber/Ferrari 50 1:33’23.402 1 lap /25.395
    17 Sergio Pérez Red Bull/Honda RBPT 49 1:28’41.198 Accident
    18 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 49 1:28’41.768 Accident
    19 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 45 1:23’21.080 Brakes
         Yuki Tsunoda RB/Honda RBPT 14 27’02.651 Accident damage

  • Aero changes to promote overtaking approved for 2019 Formula 1 season

    Aero changes to promote overtaking approved for 2019 Formula 1 season

    Paris, 01 May 2018: Formula 1 aerodynamics are set to get simpler in 2019 with one simple purpose in mind: to promote closer racing and more overtaking. Following a presentation made to the F1 teams at the Bahrain Grand Prix regarding proposals aimed at promoting closer racing and more overtaking in the Formula 1 World Championship, the Strategy Group, the F1 Commission and the World Motor Sport Council yesterday approved a number of regulation changes for the 2019 season.

    The changes, approved by e-vote, are as follows:

    • Simplified front wing, with a larger span, and low outwash potential
    • Simplified front brake duct with no winglets
    • A wider and deeper rear wing

    The vote follows an intense period of research into the FIA’s initial proposals, which were made with the support of the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, conducted by a majority of the F1 teams. These studies indicated the strong likelihood of a positive impact on racing and overtaking within F1 and as such have now been ratified for implementation in 2019.

    The approved changes are separate to the ongoing work being undertaken in regard to defining Formula 1’s regulations for 2021 and beyond.

    In addition to the aerodynamic changes ratified on Monday, the FIA is continuing to evaluate a range of other measures aimed at encouraging closer racing and boosting overtaking in F1.

    A raft of other measures have already been put in place for 2019, including an increase in race fuel allowance to allow drivers to race at full power for longer, the separation of driver weight from car weight to end the disadvantage of heavier drivers, and the requirement that drivers wear biometric gloves.

    Ross Brawn, Managing Director – Motorsports (F1) says: “One of the key episodes of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was the collision between team-mates Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen. I don’t want to comment on who might be held responsible or how a team should manage these issues during a race, but I do think the Steward’s decision to reprimand both drivers was the right course of action.

    “But I would like to highlight a technical point. Once Daniel had settled for his line, and Max had changed direction blocking that line, the Australian became a passenger. The downforce loss experienced by Ricciardo in the wake of Verstappen’s car would have made it unstoppable. We often think of downforce applying in cornering, but the impact the extra grip has in braking is huge. Take away that grip in braking and what happened on Sunday was inevitable.

    “Whilst this was a very severe example, it did highlight once more the need of finding a way to develop the rules to make the cars more raceable in these conditions.

    “The decision of the Strategy Group and the F1 Commission taken yesterday, sanctioned by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, to approve a number of aerodynamic modifications, aimed at promoting closer racing and more overtaking for the 2019 season is definitely an important step.

    “It’s also important to note that the decision has been taken after an intense period of research into the FIA’s proposals, which were made with the support of Formula 1 and, conducted by a majority of the teams. A good spirit, a good way of working together for a better and more spectacular Formula 1, which is what the FIA, Formula 1, the Teams, and most importantly, the fans want. Bravo.”

  • Alonso and McLaren hoping for another points-scoring race in Baku

    Alonso and McLaren hoping for another points-scoring race in Baku

    Baku (Azerbaijan), 24 April 2018: Having finished among points in all three rounds so far this season, former double World champion Fernando Alonso (McLaren) was positive that he would continue his consistent performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix here this weekend.

    The Spanish ace also hoped that he would replicate his last year’s performance at this circuit when the team earned its first points of the 2017 season.

    “Last year’s race in Baku was certainly a memorable one for us. It was a crazy Grand Prix and we scored our first points of the season there, so we’ll naturally be looking to repeat that this weekend.

    “Even though it’s only been on the calendar for a short time, this circuit is already known among the drivers as a great racer’s track. It’s the fastest street track of the year and also one of the longest, so it’s pretty tough on the car and the driver, but that’s definitely part of the appeal.

    “We know our limitations and where we need to improve our package, and, although we bring parts to test to every race weekend, we aren’t anticipating a radical change in our performance in Baku. However, we’re learning more and more about the behaviour of our car each time we step into the cockpit, and in Azerbaijan we’ll be maximising everything we have as usual to score as many points as possible,” said Alonso.

    Team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne said: “Baku City Circuit is a pretty tough, but also enjoyable track, and it’s quite challenging for the drivers. You literally drive through the historic centre of the old town which was a really cool experience last year, and overtaking is tricky on the narrow streets.

    “Saying that, we saw anything but a processional race last year and hopefully we can take advantage of any drama that this track throws at us next weekend. Last year was tough as the only real overtaking opportunity is at the end of the long straight, and it’ll be tricky for us again, but we’ll see what’s possible with the MCL33.

    “As well as making sure we set ourselves up on the right strategy, for me the start will be crucial on Sunday. I’ve not had the best starts over the last couple of races and with overtaking tough here we need to try to maximise our starting position. In China, we fought hard but I picked up some floor damage which made pushing ahead very difficult, so I’m looking forward to a tight battle in the midfield and progressing as much as we can in the race.”

    Eric Boullier, Racing Director, said: “On a track where drama and action seem to have become almost par for the course in Baku given last year’s events, strategy will be a key factor in next weekend’s race. We know our package tends to deliver more on Sundays, so the important thing will be to react quickly to anything that happens.

    “We must keep our heads down, push hard and take any and every opportunity that comes our way. Both of our drivers have raced brilliantly in the first grands prix of the season and I know they’ll be relishing the opportunity to maximise what they have underneath them in Baku.

    “This fast, challenging street circuit has already become a welcome and exciting location on the calendar and we’ve witnessed some great battles. Overtaking is at a premium, so, while we don’t underestimate the importance of our starting grid slots for Sunday’s race, we’re also looking forward to the challenge that racing through these historic city streets brings.”

    Focus points 

    Straight-line speed and slow-corner grip: Downforce levels are the second-lowest of the year, after Monza, in an attempt to maximise top speeds along the pit-straight, where the cars are on full-throttle for 24s. The focus for the engineers is to shave off as much downforce as possible, while still working the tyres hard enough to keep them in their operating window.

    Most demanding section: Turns Eight to 12. This series of left-right flicks alongside the medieval wall of Baku’s Old Town is also the narrowest section of the track – just 7.6m at its narrowest point. The drivers have to be very precise with their steering inputs and throttle application, which is made all the more difficult by incessant camber changes and a sharp incline in the road.

    Unique difficulty: The 2.1km/1.305-mile pit-straight produces the highest top speeds of the year. In 2016, Valtteri Bottas clocked 378kmph / 235mph here, although speeds were slightly slower last year due to the wider-format cars. At these speeds, the brakes cool dramatically, making braking for Turn One particularly difficult.

    Braking: There are six significant braking events around the lap, the hardest being into Turn One, where the cars slow from very high speed. The rest of the lap is relatively slow (there are nine third-gear corners) and it’s a delicate balance to optimise brake cooling.

    Power: The cars use 2kg of fuel per lap, which is high, and without a Safety Car period, the cars are unable to complete the race without a degree of fuel saving. It’s also a demanding race for the ERS because there are long periods of full deployment.

    Aero: Despite being a street track, Baku is a low-downforce circuit. In terms of aero package, it’s the second lowest downforce package of the season, after Monza.

    McLaren Press Release