Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo says he hopes to benefit from any potential “opportunities” at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, due to the wall-lined nature of the Baku City Circuit.
Ricciardo has finished on the podium across the past three events – in Spain, Monaco and Canada – but Red Bull is braced for a struggle in Azerbaijan, with Baku’s long straights poised to expose its weaknesses.
Ricciardo started last year’s race in Baku from the front row of the grid but slipped to seventh at the chequered flag, narrowly ahead of team-mate Max Verstappen.
“The track was fun so I’m looking forward to having another go on it,” he said.
“Another street circuit is exciting for me as I really enjoy those types of tracks, it doesn’t suit our car that much but there are a lot of opportunities for things to happen.
“I think the circuit is definitely as tight as it looks and has a lot of corners unlike any others on the calendar.
“There are a few interesting lines past the castle which adds to the toughness and is definitely a section of track like no other.
“The straight is so long that it gives you time to think, which is nice as the corners are technical and you really need to concentrate.”
Verstappen added: “Baku in my opinion is quite a special street circuit, it’s really unique in terms of having quite wide sections but also some of the tightest parts of track on the calendar.
"Sector 2 is tighter than parts of Monaco which has always been regarded as really narrow and challenging. When you drive up into the old town and past the castle it is fun and tricky but also amazing to watch as a spectator.”
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