RW 17 – Tyre Selection

Round 17 is here and we are officially in the final third of the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

For the first time ever, the race takes place in September rather than the usual April or June and that will be the case next year aswell due to wanting to achieve a more logistically coherent calendar.

Pirelli has chosen the three softest compounds in the range C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), C5 (Soft).

The track is 6.003 kilometres in length and has pretty much unchanged since 2016, it features 20 corners.

Some of these, such as the first seven are practically right angle turns while others through the city are slow and some flat out.

The track also varies in width, going from seven metres at turn 8 to being wide enough to accommodate three cars abreast down the main straight.

The track evolution is an important factor as the circuit is normally open to city traffic not only that but the weather can also play a part. Usually it’s hotter in September, than the usual race in April. With track temperature varying around the race track depending on which parts are in sunlight or the shade from surrounding buildings.

Baku is a typically one-stop race, with the hardest tyre doing the majority of the work. Although a glance at the circuit layout may seem like overtaking is straightforward, but that is not always the way.