“On this new surface, if you can get that tyre to work, and find the grip, I think it equates to a big chunk of time”.
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Set to host a Formula One race for the first time, the street circuit around the Azerbaijan capital has claimed to be the fastest street circuit in the world. “One team’s senior engineer said he believed the problem was down to the fact that the new street circuit was using metal kerbs rather than the usual rubber”, reports the BBC.
“It’s very demanding, it has some high speed corners and some twisty, more technical areas, so it’s definitely one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar, but at the same time it’s a lot of fun”.
“Usually, city tracks are very narrow and the speed at the races on those tracks is quite low, said the tourist”.
“There is a little bit of a concern, for sure, with those run offs”.
“I do like the layout, I think it is exciting in some places but there are just some things that look like they need to be addressed. Trying to get the old city and the new city together, but it looks like it has worked out alright”, Ecclestone told reporters.
Button, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said: “Maybe the circuit was supposed to be the other way around”.
But not all drivers were as concerned, however, with world champion Lewis Hamilton pointing out one section of the track where he feels there is too much escape road.
The track, described as risky in places by many drivers, including 2009 champion Jenson Button of McLaren and Rosberg, claimed many victims who struggled with the dusty surface and tight turns lacking broad run-off spaces. “These guys wants it to be smoother than ever with no vibrations and no bumps and take all the character out of these tracks”.
“Twice Hamilton brushed the wall on the entry to turn three on the slippery surface but survived without sustaining any major damage”.
On Thursday Jenson Button suggested F1 had gone “backwards” in some aspects of safety with the Baku track.
Vettel also hit trouble at the end of the session, being ordered to slow down and return to the pits with a minute to go.
“We all do as drivers trust the FIA and they do a fantastic job of keeping us safe”, he said.
“There are some corners probably we will talk about”, he added. Everything is ready. Also the fans are well into F1 and they are very prepared, very enthusiastic for the race on Sunday and everything is ready for a good show.
“The track looks great, the place is great”.
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Button added: “It’ll be tough on the vehicle, with its long, fast straight, strong loads on the ERS and high fuel consumption, so we need to buckle down and work hard to get our package set up as quickly as possible”.
