Formula 1 is back after 2 weeks and is heading to Baku for round 17 of the calendar. For this year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the FIA has made several changes to the circuit, aimed at improving safety and enhancing racing conditions.

A new vehicle opening has been added at the pit exit, while crash gates have replaced vehicle openings at Turn 14 and the pit entry on the left-hand side. The crash gate at the pit entry on the right-hand side has been swapped with a new vehicle opening.

Several concrete walls have been realigned, including those between Turns 3 and 4, Turns 12 and 13, and at the Turn 1 run-off. New concrete barriers have been installed in the run-off at Turn 16 and between Turns 18 and 19. Additionally, small patches of new asphalt have been added between Turns 2 and 3, Turns 7 and 8, and a strip between Turns 12 and 13.

Finally, the medical center has been relocated to improve accessibility in case of emergencies. These changes aim to ensure greater safety and enhance the overall racing experience.

In addition, the FIA has shortened the two DRS activation zones. One is located at the exit of Turn 2, and the other runs along the long pit straight into the braking zone for Turn 1.

The DRS zone at the exit of Turn 2 has been reduced by two meters, while the one along the pit straight has been shortened by 100 meters, now measuring 347 meters after the final corner.

In his pre-race notes, race director Niels Wittich provided further clarification on the qualifying regulations in an effort to prevent traffic during the session.

“In order to ensure that cars are not driven unnecessarily slowly on in laps during and after the end of qualifying or during reconnaissance laps when the pit exit is opened for the race, drivers must stay below the maximum time set by the FIA between the Safety Car lines shown on the pit lane map. Teams and Drivers will be informed of the maximum time after the second practice session,” he wrote.