The Formula 1 Paddock is ready for its first European Grand Prix, precisely in Baku. 

The Arzebaijan Grand Prix was introduced in the F1 calendar back in 2016 as the European GP, but changed his name after its first edition, won by Nico Rosberg. 

The track is the longest and also fastest street circuit on the calendar, with 6,003 km and several straights. The GP has always given fans some surprises on podium, thanks to accidents and Safety Car. 

Pirelli, the Italian tyres manufacturer, selected for the Baku track the C2 (white), C3 (yellow) and C4 (red) compounds, right in the middle of the available tyres range. 

Last year’s best strategy was a two-pit stop strategy with two Safety Cars as well. Lewis Hamilton won the 2018 edition, followed by Kimi Raikkonen and Sergio Perez. 

“The main challenge in Baku lies in balancing the front and rear axles, keeping both the front and rear tyres in the right operating window." Said Mario Isola, Pirelli's Head of Car Racing. "It is quite a varied track, with a very long two-kilometre straight and also some more technical corners. The frequency of the safety car also often causes a headache – or maybe an opportunity – for the strategists. The tyres that we have nominated from the middle of our range should be well-suited to the mixed demands of Baku, but it’s always one of the most difficult races of the year to predict. This is often the case for a street circuit, but Baku is the most unconventional street circuit on the calendar, with the high speeds of a conventional track as well as a very long lap.”