PREMA goes back to Baku with all-Italian lineup
PREMA Racing is set for a memorable weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, returning to an extremely friendly venue. The team has an incredibly successful story at Baku City Circuit, having claimed six wins in F2 and two in GP2 since 2016. Last year, Ollie Bearman set a perfect record by leading every session en route to a phenomenal double win.
For this year, the British racer won’t be available as he will compete in Formula 1, and will be replaced by Gabriele Minì. Competing alongside fellow countryman Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Minì will form PREMA’s all-Italian Formula 2 line-up.
Antonelli is coming from a great run of form. After fighting at the top of the pack in Monza, despite having to settle for P4 due to a pesky safety car, he will race for the first time at the Azerbaijani venue. With high-speed sections paired with slow and tight corners, Baku City Circuit is one of the bumpiest circuits on the schedule and offers no room for mistake.
Minì will thus be facing an even steeper learning curve, having to deal with a completely new car and environment in addition to the tough venue. Still, his two Monte Carlo wins and his Macau podiums speak volumes about his street racing skill set.
Sunny weather and hot conditions will welcome teams and drivers although with a less abrasive surface, tyre choice will be the softest possible. Teams will use the Pirelli P-Zero Red Soft tyres as the Prime choice, and the Pirelli P-Zero Purple Supersoft tyres as the Option.
RENÉ ROSIN - Team Principal
"We have many great memories from Baku, and we are looking forward to writing more successful pages this year. For the first time, we will have an all-Italian lineup, which makes us particularly proud, especially because both drivers started their careers with us in Formula 4. Our goal is to help Kimi continue the extremely positive moment he is experiencing, and support Gabriele as he will try to learn a new environment and series at arguably its most unique and challenging venue. Let’s do our best and enjoy the ride!"
Weekend Timetable
Friday, September 13th, 2024
11:10 - Free Practice
15:00 - Qualifying
Saturday, September 14th, 2024
14:15 - Race 1
Sunday, September 15th, 2024
11:35 - Race 2