Argentine Franco Colapinto, who made his debut at Monza, will have the complex challenge of performing well in one of the most difficult scenarios in the category.
Leclerc’s pole in Azerbaijan 2023
Argentine Franco Colapinto will have a difficult test in the next Formula 1 race because it will be on the Baku street circuit, one of the most complex of the entire season and where experienced drivers have suffered some accidents, such as Charles Leclerc, who although he took pole in 2023 and was third in the race, the day before he had crashed, as in 2019.
But what makes this scenario so complex? The circuit is 6.003 kilometres long and is run clockwise, and only 306.049 kilometres are completed in the race. It also has 20 curves (12 left and 8 right).
It is worth noting that to overcome this challenge, speed and great technique are required. It has two DRS zones, 90-degree turns, others uphill, and the feared “Castle Zone” which has the fastest straight on the track. In addition, the riders of the Máxima will have to overcome the challenge 51 times, which is the agreed number of laps.
It is no coincidence that Colapinto had to do a special preparation for this particular day and take advantage of the two weeks he had, something he had lacked to make his debut in Italy. “There are races coming up that I don’t know, but also races that I can prepare for much better than I prepared for this one. I only had one day, a bit of simulator time and nothing else. I knew that Monza was going to be one of the circuits that would help me the most in my debut,” he said after his debut and added: “Now I’m going to learn the circuits too and I think that knowing the car and having experience in the team is a step forward.”
On Monday, the Pilar-born driver completed physical training, while on Tuesday he was given the opportunity to get on the simulator. However, the most important days will be at the end of the day because Thursday was the day chosen for him to walk around the circuit and then get into the F1 car on Friday.
Colapinto’s main objective between now and the end of the season will undoubtedly be to gain experience and experience in the most important motorsport category in the world, but it will also mean a high-calibre test. What can we expect at the Azerbaijan GP? The main objective will be to be able to finish with the British team’s FW-46 in one piece.
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