#mick's track check ✔

[lennies-blog]

It's race week so time for another Track Check 🥳

Mick's Track Check Part 4 - BAKU

Source: SPORT BILD Motorsport 2023 Magazine Special Edition 26. February 2023

"Crash-risk at the tight old town walls

Overtaking almost only possible on start/finish line

In Baku it's about rhythm. From FP1 on you have to get used to the tight walls in the old town district, find your limit - but not go over it. You can hardly allow yourself any mistakes in this sector. The Formula 1 cars are up to 2 metres wide, but the track partly only around 8 metres. That's when it crashes fast!

That's what also makes the overtaking in the secret difficult. It's easiest on the long straight. Since the start/finish (straight) is more than 2 kilometres long, you can pass by without any problems if you have an efficient car. The key is a small rear wing. With slipstream overtaking isn't a problem anyway."

[lennies-blog]

Mick's Track Check Part 3 - MELBOURNE

Source: SPORT BILD Motorsport 2023 Magazine Special Edition 26. February 2023

"The track in Melbourne is a lot of fun

Euphoric fans and turns that you practically fly through

Australia is one of my favourite races. That not only has to do with the track itself but especially with the fans. The euphoria that the people there have for Fomula 1 is really palpable.

And the track is also a lot of fun! Melbourne has the rarity of being a mix between a modern street circuit and a traditional race circuit. I especially love the chicane of turn 9 and 10. Why? Because it's just really really fast. You practically fly through it. But for that it's the same as with every over race track - the set up has to be right. Otherwise the fun can quickly be gone in Australia."

[lennies-blog]

Mick's Track Check Part 2 - JEDDAH

Source: SPORT BILD Motorsport 2023 Magazine Special Edition 26. February 2023

"You have to cut turns in Jeddah

Even though it's a street circuit, it's one of the fastest tracks

Personally, I did not make great memories in Saudi Arabia. In 2021 our car wasn't competitive, last year I had a big crash - because I went over a kerb, a curb stone, too aggressively. With the new generation of cars that is in use since 2022 it's not possible anymore with high kerbs. Especially the rear end is too low for that. The rear axle touches down quickly. Nevertheless, you have to drive with a lot of risk in Jeddah, cut turns - if possible. The track is, even though it's in the middle of the city, one of the fastest in the calender. Most turns are driven with full throttle. Luckily a lot (of the turns) have banking, an incline like at a steep wall. The tuning of the car is still not easy. It's a walk on a tightrope. You've got to find a good balance for the wings. For the turns you need a lot of downforce, but on the straights you need a good top speed. The teams usually bet on less wings."

[lennies-blog]

Mick's Track Check Part 1 - BAHRAIN

Source: SPORT BILD Motorsport 2023 Magazine Special Edition 26. February 2023

"This track is getting faster day by day

When the sand disappears, the times also get better

The Bahrain circuit has his perils. Us drivers always have to manage our tires, but in Bahrain it's more intensive than on other tracks. If you drive the first sector too aggressively, you'll lose time in the second. Especially in the turn combination 9 and 10 you have to be vigilant. During the steering in turn 9 you have to brake for turn 10. There, your tires can easily block, especially the front left. The set of tires is done for pretty quickly. This challenge is incredibly fun as a driver. That is the case for the while track in general. Because it is getting faster from first practice up until the race, as with time there is less sand on track."