The fourth round of the 2019 F1 season will see the ROKiT Williams Racing Team move to the city of Baku for the 2019 Azerbaijan GP. The demanding nature of the circuit is something that Robert Kubica will face for the first time while for team-mate George Russell this circuit had seen him achieve success in the 2018 F2 championship. But agai9n the team will have to contend with the difficulties that have confronted them in the opening series of races as they continue to come to grips with the difficult FW42. With no major updates planned this race will again be one of trying to make small steps forward.
It’s round four of the 2019 FIA Formula One
World Championship and this weekend we head to Baku, scene of some of
the most dramatic races of recent seasons. The six-kilometre-long track
runs partly along the shoreline of the city’s historic centre,
classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, providing a stunning
backdrop to the circuit.
George has tasted success in Azerbaijan previously, charging from 12th
on the grid to win the second of two races held on the Baku City Circuit
in last year’s FIA Formula 2 Championship. Meanwhile, this weekend will
mark Robert’s first taste of a circuit he has not previously driven at
since his return to the F1 grid. The team aims to see continued progress
in Azerbaijan off the back of improved performance in Shanghai.
Dave Robson, Senior Race Engineer:
The streets of Baku serve as the race track for round four of the 2019
FIA Formula One World Championship. The circuit delivers a variety of
challenges, including some severe gradients, difficult braking zones,
and a particularly long straight. With the main competitive sessions of
the weekend taking place at twilight, the track can cool quickly, often
catching drivers out.
At over six-kilometres, the circuit is the second longest of the season,
with only Spa Francorchamps being longer. Due to the varied layout of
the circuit, we can expect teams to experiment with drag level during
the weekend as drivers grapple with the conflicting requirements of long
straights and a very tight twisty section in the middle of the lap. For
our drivers, George is familiar with the track having won the Baku F2
Sprint race in 2018, but for Robert this will be a new experience in his
comeback season.
Robert Kubica:
It’s time for the fourth race of the season in Baku. The circuit looks
challenging from what I watched last year, and definitely one of the
most demanding tracks. It will be my first time driving there. In the
past, I really enjoyed driving around these types of circuits, so I look
forward to getting the same feeling I did in the past.
George Russell:
I am really looking forward to going to Baku. Last year in FIA Formula 2
it was probably my strongest weekend and we should have won both races.
I was leading the first one but had an unfortunate incident at the end
of the race after a safety car and then came back to win the second race
from P12 on the grid. I have great memories there, so I am looking
forward to getting back to the street circuit of Baku.
Race Data Friday:
Practice 1: 13:00 - 14:30
Practice 2: 17:00 - 18:30 Saturday:
Practice 3: 14:00 - 15:00
Qualifying: 17:00 – 18:00 Sunday: Race: 16:10
Azerbaijan GP: ROKiT Williams Grand Prix Preview
Posted by: Williams F1 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/04/2019 09:56
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