McLaren driver: Baku offers unique street-circuit challenge

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri says the Formula 1 race in Baku has always been interesting, ahead of this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, according to local media.

Speaking at a press conference, Piastri said the Baku street circuit offered a combination that was not often found at other street tracks, with many heavy braking zones.

“Racing here has always been interesting for me,” he said. “You don't often find this kind of combination among street circuits. There are many heavy braking zones here.”

Piastri said he would seek to make progress over the weekend, while acknowledging that McLaren had yet to reach the level it was aiming for.

“We don't intend to stand still and are doing everything we can. Nevertheless, we have not yet reached the level we are aiming for,” he said.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held from September 24 to 26, with the event serving as the 15th round of the Formula 1 season and marking 10 years since the championship first raced in Azerbaijan in 2016.

The 51-lap race will take place on the 6.003-kilometre Baku City Circuit, featuring a mix of long, fast straights and tight corners running through the historic Icheri Sheher old town. Charles Leclerc holds the circuit lap record of 1:43.009, set in 2019.

By Aghakazim Guliyev