Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc speak of challenging Baku circuit

Ferrari

Vettel and Leclerc speak of challenging Baku circuit

The Scuderia looking to get back on track in Azerbaijan.

Martin Macdonald

Tuesday 23 April 2019 15:32

Sebastian Vettel reckons Ferrari could benefit from the Baku City Circuit having the longest straight section of any race in the Formula 1 calendar, while Charles Leclerc is looking forward to returning to the location of his very first points earned in the sport.

The Scuderia are yet to win a race at the Azerbaijan GP, but in 2019 seem to be benefiting from increased speed on straights, even if they haven’t won in the opening three races in Australia, Bahrain, and China.

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Vettel has provided an insight into the extreme speed which can be gained, before the eye-of-the-needle drive through the castle section of the track.

“This six kilometre circuit has the longest straight on the calendar, 2.2 kilometres, where we reach 360 kph before the very heavy braking for the first slow left hand turn. The steep climb past the old city walls is only seven metres wide, which feels very tight in a Formula One car – you feel like you are threading a needle,” the German told the official Ferrari website.

“There isn´t enough space for two cars here so you have to agree on the right of way between you! A big challenge at Baku is to find the right wing level to get good grip for the slow corners but also to be fast enough on the straights where we spend a lot of time at full throttle. It’s not an easy compromise.”

Leclerc is slightly more excited at the possibility of taking on the track, as it harbours positive memories from the first race where he gained F1 points with Sauber last season.

“Azerbaijan is one of my favourite tracks of the season, I simply love it and I’ve always performed very well there, having won and got another podium finish in Formula 2 and also scored my first Formula 1 points last year,” the Monegasque driver said.

Shanghai done. See you in Baku 🙃
📸: @motorsportpics1 pic.twitter.com/7tYUtyut4H
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) April 14, 2019

“I always enjoy driving on it, especially the castle part with all those tight corners. It’s a unique track, you cannot find anything like it anywhere else in the world, so it’s pretty special.

“The rule is quite simple: never lose focus during the race otherwise at the first mistake you’re in the wall. Baku is a demanding track, but I can’t wait.”

Vettel and Leclerc are currently fourth and fifth in the driver’s championship for 2019.