Aston Martin: ‘Close to finalizing new design for Baku race’

Andy Stevenson, sporting director at Aston Martin, says the FIA ​​and Formula 1 are close to finalizing the all-new design which will definitely be introduced during the race weekend in Azerbaijan.

The Baku City Circuit will set the scene for the first weekend of the 2023 sprint race next week. That usually means that qualifying will take place on Friday, the race over 100 kilometers will take place on Sunday and it’s time for the Grand Prix on Sunday. For the past two years, qualifying on Friday determined the starting grid for the sprint races, and the results of these sprint races then formed the pecking order for the main race.

Two characteristics

However, it seems that Azerbaijan will try a new format, in which the sprint race and the main race will each have their own characteristics. This means that qualifying will take place on Friday and Saturday, so that the sprint race and the feature race will be two separate events. This way the drivers can take more risks during the sprints in the hunt for World Cup points, because the result will not have an impact on the starting grid for the Grand Prix.

Although the official message from Formula 1 has not yet been addressed, no one doubts that the new design will be announced next week. “We are very close to finalizing the design. We have worked closely with the FIA ​​and have gone through it carefully with our engineers and strategists to make sure it works,” Stevenson told Aston Martin’s website. “We’re all behind the new structure, but we need to make sure the regulations work as intended.”

An interesting choice

He continues: “What I like about the proposed structure is that the two parts of the race, the sprint race and the Grand Prix are separated, the drivers will push harder and take more risks during the race because their finishing position will not be affected. in their starting position on Sunday. It’s going to be a very exciting weekend. Baku is an interesting choice for sprint races. It can be a challenge for teams and drivers, especially given the high wear and tear of Baku and the unforgiving nature of the circuit.”