The FIA has shared details for F1 Azerbaijan GP weekend, with rules of slow driving, DRS zones, track changes, stewards and more included.

Unlike F1 Monaco GP, the Azerbaijan GP will have no track limits rule, but there will be one for unnecessary slow driving. This is to avoid a bunch-up situation, especially in qualifying, where drivers often slow down to bridge a gap between themselves and rivals.

The FIA Race Directors’ note has asked drivers to be careful and any breach, will be reported to the stewards. Here’s what the note says:

Driving Unnecessarily Slowly – Article 27.4 – General:

a) Each Competitor and Driver is reminded of the provisions of Article 27.4 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.

b) For reasons of safety, during each practice session, acts such as weaving across the track to hinder another car may be referred to the stewards.

c) During Free Practice session 3 and the Qualifying Practice, the time published in accordance with Item 8 of the Race Directors Event Notes will be used as a guide by the stewards to determine if a Driver is considered to be driving unnecessarily slowly on an out lap or any other lap that is not a fast lap or in lap.

d) For the avoidance of doubt, the pit exit, as defined in Article 28.2 of the F1 Sporting Regulations is considered a part of the track and the provisions of Article 27.4 apply in this area.

24.2 Turns 17-20 –

a) During any practice session, any driver intending to create a gap in front of him in order to get a clear lap should not attempt to do this between the entry to Turn 17 through to the exit of Turn 20. Any driver seen to have done this will be reported to the stewards as being in breach of Article 27.4 of the Sporting Regulations.

Moving on to the two DRS zones, the FIA notes that the detection point for the first one will be Safety Car 2 line, while the activation will be 54m after Turn 2. At the same time, the detection zone for the second one is at Turn 20, with activation at 347m after Turn 20.

With no race in 2020, the Baku F1 circuit has undergone multiple changes from 2019 to 2021, where the apex kerb on the famous ‘Charles Leclerc’s’ crash corner, has been replaced by a painted kerb, so as to stop the cars from flying into the barrier.

Changes to the circuit –

14.1 The barrier and Tecpro separating the pit lane exit and the track has been extended by approximately 20m.

14.2 The right-hand vehicle opening opposite the pit exit has been realigned to run more parallel to the track edge.

14.3 A Barrier has been installed in front of the Pit Lane Garage Complex at the pit exit.

14.4 The left-hand wall at the entry to Turn 2 has been realigned closer to the track edge line.

14.5 The left-hand wall at the entry to Turn 3 has been realigned closer to the track edge line.

14.6 The right-hand wall at the entry to Turn 4 has been realigned closer to the track edge line.

14.7 The Tecpro barrier configuration at the exit of Turn 5 has been upgraded.

14.8 The opening in the communal debris fence between Turn 6-7 and Turn 19-20 have been closed.

14.9 The apex kerb at Turn 8 has been removed and replaced with a painted kerb.

14.10 The painted kerb at the exit of Turn 12 has been removed.

Moving on to the four FIA stewards for Azerbaijan GP, they are Dr Gerd Ennser, Achim Loth, Enrique Bernoldi and Anar Shukurov. With regards to the PU elements, there is no change from Monaco to Baku, with only Sergio Perez and AlphaTauri duo on more than one.

Photo of Turn 8 kerb removal:

Here’s the full revised FIA Race Directors’ note: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2021%20Azerbaijan%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Race%20Directors’%20Event%20Notes%20Version%202.pdf 

Here’s the list of PU elements: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2021%20Azerbaijan%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20PU%20elements%20used%20per%20driver%20up%20to%20now.pdf 

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