Charouz Racing System heads to Azerbaijan for the next challenge in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. The iconic Baku City Circuit will host round three of 2021 season, taking place on 4-6 June. After the weekend in Montecarlo, another street track awaits the Czech squad, but this time with more overtaking opportunities, thanks especially to a record-long final straight.
Both David Beckmann and Guilherme Samaia will make their racing debut in Baku, which returns to the calendar after the 2020 cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic effects. Charouz Racing System will help its drivers relying on the data collected during previous editions, and especially in 2019 when was introduced the current Dallara-Mecachrome car. The Žebrák-based team has good memories of this venue, having celebrated a third place in 2018 race 1, and a runner-up spot two years ago in race 2.
Unable to collect points in Monaco, Charouz Racing System aims to score again in Azerbaijan, after the promising kick-off at the Bahrain opener where Beckmann stepped up on the podium. Currently, the young German sits 13th in drivers’ standings, while team-mate Samaia will try to conquer his first FIA Formula 2 Championship points, taking a deserved reward for the solid job he’s been doing so far.
Track activity at Baku will begin on Friday with the usual 45-minute free practice session at 10:25 local time, while Qualifying is scheduled at 14:00. According to the new FIA Formula 2 Championship weekend format, Qualifying will determine Sunday’s Feature Race grid, and Saturday’s morning Sprint Race 1 with a reversed top 10. The Sprint Race 2, with another reversed top 10 grid based on the first heat classification, will take place on Saturday at 17:40.
Antonín Charouz, team owner: “We are ready to bring our cars in action in another fascinating street track like Baku, but dealing with different characteristics in comparison to Monaco: higher speeds and a very long straight where we already saw a lot of passing maneuvers. In Monaco overtaking was almost impossible and this prevented David and Guilherme to get some points after a though qualifying. We aim to make a comeback into the points positions, getting the most from this new weekend format introduced in the FIA Formula 2 Championship”.
David Beckmann
“I’m extremely happy to compete again after just two weeks of wait. I think we can make some good improvement for Baku, thanks to what we learned in Monaco. Azerbaijan offers us a very special circuit with long straights, quite high top speeds and many overtaking opportunities. I believe the races will be exciting and we can enjoy a good weekend”.
Guilherme Samaia
“I’m really looking forward to Baku, it’s another street circuit and it will be my first time there, but I feel more confident after the experience we gained during the last round in Monaco. In Azerbaijan anything can happen, having a very long straight where cars can reach 320 km/h and lots of overtaking chances. It’s going to be fun for the drivers and for those who will be watching. Let’s hope for a positive weekend with the team”.
