Side to adjust the entrance to the pitline F1; eyes 2023 sprint race

The profile and speed of the chicane for entering the pit have been the subject of conversation since the inaugural Formula 1 competition in Baku in 2016, when cars had to slow down quickly from top speed.

Last year, however, control tightened when the former world champion Nick Rosberg marked as one of the most dangerous places in the F1 calendar.

“Imagine something breaking down in a car here,” he said in a preview of the event. “You’re driving at 350 kilometers per hour. On the left is just a wall and it’s facing you. If something breaks and you’re in that wall, it’s over, you’re gone.

“It’s one of the scariest places I’ve ever ridden in a Formula One car. It’s ridiculously wrong to drive past. But you have to try to mix it up.”

Sebastian Vettel also considered after last year’s GP, where Max Ferstappen and Lance Stroll failed on the run down to the start-finish line that they were lucky enough to spin anywhere near the entrance to the pit.

Although the FIA ​​defended the design last year and saw no reason for the changes, it turned out that changes needed to be made.

Baku race promoter Arif Rahimov said on Monday that the entrance had been redesigned to increase security on the ground.

Asked by Motorsport.com about changes to the track this year, he said: “We are slightly changing the entrance to the pitlane.

“There are no changes in the track itself, but the FIA ​​has asked us to slightly change the entrance to the pitlane to make it a little safer.

“Let’s see how things go. Usually drivers don’t make many mistakes when going to the pit lane. “

Rahimov said there had been no other specific changes to the track, but said the curb situation – which could be more troubling for the current generation of Formula One cars – would be considered over the weekend.

“Sometimes drivers come in, train and say, ‘Okay, we need to remove the steel curb at this point, or we have to add it,'” he explained.

“To turn near the Old Town, a narrow stretch, we play with curbs from day one. We add it and remove and then add again, so you can’t know until the cars have left the pavement.”

A passion for sprinting

The current contract with Baku runs until the 2024 race, and Rahimov said discussions on a possible extension have not yet begun.

However, he especially wanted Baku to organize one of the six sprint races planned for next year. He said this is something he would like to consider with F1 bosses at GP next month.

“It’s on my agenda for this year’s race,” he said. “Given how busy Formula 1 is now, I think the best time to draw their attention to the novelties is when they’re actually racing here.

“I’m a big fan of this [the sprint races]. I really like the idea. I think it’s good to just mix things around for years.

“Things can get boring when people get too used to the same format and then they lose interest. So when that kind of change comes along, I think it’s good for the sport.”