At the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the softest tyres in the Pirelli Formula 1 range would be used for the first time: C3 as the P Zero White hard, C4 as the P Zero Yellow medium, and C5 as the P Zero Red soft. This move by F1 is noteworthy since the tyres are a step softer than 2019 (the last time the race was held) and has the same nomination as Monaco.
This decision was taken to add an extra strategic element to the race, as the hard compound was not used at all last time. Going a step softer now enables more variability in strategy.
The Baku street circuit's track surface is one of the least aggressive in terms of asphalt roughness and does not sap a lot of energy from the tyres, making the softest compounds in the range the best option.
Drivers have previously described Baku as having the intricacies of Monaco combined with the speed of Monza. While this isn't exactly the case, it does provide some insight into the nature of the calendar's fastest and longest street circuit from the driver's perspective.
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Aside from that, Pirelli says that the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku has all of the hallmarks of a street circuit: a "green" and slippery surface that is likely to evolve quickly, especially given that it hasn't been utilised in two years. The barriers are ruthless, and the track is quite small at one point (Turn 9): all of this increases the chance of a safety-car, which, in turn, affects race strategy.
The top four adopted a one-stop soft-medium plan last time, which was the winning strategy. Charles Leclerc, who finished sixth for Ferrari, did the exact opposite: he used medium to soft tyres (plus a second late stop for more softs to set the fastest lap). The pit stop window was quite large, with several long stretches observed on the medium C3 tyre (now the hard for this year's race).
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Due to its frequent and changeable windy weather, Baku is known as the "city of winds." This certainly affects aerodynamic balance on a circuit that is already difficult in terms of set-up.
The teams at Baku tend to run low downforce levels because to the long straight. Throughout the 20 hard turns, this clearly emphasises mechanical grip from the tyres.
Mario Isola says that "From one unique circuit to another: Baku provides a very different test to Monaco, but the precision needed to stay out of trouble is similar. For the first time we bring the very softest tyres in the range to Azerbaijan, as also seen in Monte Carlo.
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"The reason for this nomination is that the hard wasn't used at all in the Baku race in 2019, whereas the medium was used extensively. By re-aligning the nominations, we hope to see all three compounds playing an important role and leading to some different strategies. In Formula 2, there's a step between the compounds, just as was the case at the opening round in Bahrain. This creates a bigger differential between the tyres, and again leads to some entertaining racing and tactics, on a challenging circuit that’s renowned for being a place where anything can happen."
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