Piastri aims for podium repeat in Baku street fight
Friday, 13 September 2024
Piastri is eager to continue his impressive rookie campaign on the streets of Baku
Oscar Piastri heads to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with his sights set on another strong performance as Formula 1® returns to the challenging Baku City Circuit. Fresh off a double podium finish for McLaren in Monza, Piastri is eager to continue his impressive rookie campaign on the streets of Baku.
The Australian driver secured his second podium of the season with a third-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix, helping McLaren close the gap in the Constructors' Championship. Now, Piastri faces a unique test on the 6.003 km Baku street circuit, which combines high-speed straights with tight, technical sections through the city's historic Old Town.
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Piastri has shown remarkable adaptability in his debut F1® season, consistently scoring points and impressing with his pace. The Baku City Circuit, however, presents a new challenge for the Australian. The track's diverse layout demands a delicate balance between low-downforce efficiency on the 2.2 km straight and nimble handling through the narrow, winding section past the medieval city walls.
"I'm looking forward to returning to Baku," Piastri said. "We haven't been to a street circuit in a few months and Baku always throws up some interesting races and opportunities. I'm optimistic about what we can do as a team with the car we have."
The young Australian has been putting in the work to prepare for this double-header, spending time at the McLaren Technology Centre to analyze his recent performances and identify areas for improvement. "Last week I was back at the MTC to prepare for this double-header and sat down with my engineers to see how we can do better," Piastri explained. "We've been securing a lot of points in each race, and hopefully, this weekend will be no different."
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella is confident in the team's prospects for Baku, citing their recent strong performances across various track types. "We have a car that is competitive in every situation and two great drivers who are consistently delivering strong points for the team," Stella stated. "We're excited to get the final third of the season underway."
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has a reputation for producing thrilling and unpredictable races, with its mix of high-speed sections and tight corners often leading to dramatic moments. The long straight leading into Turn 1 has been a hotspot for overtaking, sometimes seeing three-wide battles into the first corner.
As Piastri prepares for the challenges of Baku, he'll be looking to build on his recent success and continue his impressive rookie campaign. With McLaren's improved form and the unpredictable nature of the Baku City Circuit, the stage is set for another exciting weekend of Formula 1® action.
"Our goal is clear," Piastri affirmed. "I have every faith in the team to keep working and improving. Now with both Championships on the table, we're more determined than ever. I'm proud of the team and can't wait to see what we can do this weekend."
