The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is on the horizon! This year’s race through the streets of Baku promises to be even more challenging; tyre supplier Pirelli has decided to reintroduce the C6 tyre, the softest compound in the tyre arsenal. These ultra-soft rubbers were last used during the Canadian Grand Prix. The soft compounds could force teams into daring strategies.
The street circuit in the Azerbaijani capital is known for its unique mix of low-speed corners and extremely long straights. In the tight city section, speeds drop to just 60 km/h, while on the straights, record speeds of up to 378 km/h have been measured. This calls for a wide range of tyre options and a well-thought-out strategy. During the recent Italian Grand Prix in Monza, we saw how a one-stop strategy was the norm. A similar scenario could occur in Baku.
Pirelli hopes that the C6 compound will at least contribute to an exciting race. “On a street circuit with little grip and wear, using the same selection as in 2024 would inevitably have led to a one-stop strategy,” reads an official press release. “Given the fact that this year’s tyres suffer much less from graining, the C6 at least offers the possibility for a two-stop strategy.” The biggest challenge in Azerbaijan is cooling the tyres. The layout of the circuit causes significant temperature fluctuations, especially in the old city section. There, the temperature of the front axle can vary by up to 40 degrees, according to Pirelli.
