P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Baku has always thrown up an almost unique challenge given the configuration of the circuit. What is Red Bull’s plan to combat it?
Red Bull’s head of racing, Gianpiero Lambiase, faces the challenge of analyzing data overnight to devise a qualifying strategy for the unique Baku Street Circuit, known for being “a lap of two halves.”
Max Verstappen, fresh off a dominant win, will need to find a balance between low and high downforce setups to navigate the circuit’s mixed characteristics, which include long straights and tight corners.
Despite finishing behind Lewis Hamilton in FP2, the team is focused on optimizing their downforce levels for both qualifying pace and race competitiveness on Sunday.
Additionally, Red Bull must consider the impact of Pirelli’s softer tyre compounds on their strategy, with most teams leaning towards the soft tyres for the race.
Lambiase acknowledges the street circuit’s challenges, including bumps affecting braking and the need to fine-tune the cars mechanically for optimal performance.
The team’s goal is to analyze the tyre options thoroughly to ensure a strong qualifying performance while keeping an eye on the long-run potential for the race, especially considering the cooler track temperatures in Baku.
