Formula 1: Are any F1 teams bringing upgrades to Azerbaijan GP 2023?

We look at the ways the sides are planning to catch up to the leaders, Red Bull Racing, in Baku.

Formula 1 went on an extended period of Easter holidays, recharging their batteries amidst an unusual early break. Ahead of the Azerbaijan GP 2023, the teams and their drivers will utilize this time, chalking out plans for implementing their first sets of proper upgrades for the season.

The Azerbaijan GP 2023 is taking place at the end of April due to the FIA's cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix. Otherwise, in any F1 season, the first set of vital upgrades arrives during the first European race of the calendar.

The reason for this is that most of the participating teams have their manufacturing factories in Europe. It makes up for the ease of logistics. Also, because the first European race gets scheduled right after a few months after a season begins, the teams get to run proper simulations and work out on improving their performance issues over the initial months of racing.

Making use of the four-week break

This year's first European race was supposed to arrive at Imola, but with the four-week break between rounds 3 and 4 of the schedule, the teams are pushing to tweak their first set of significant upgrades at the Azerbaijan GP 2023. Additionally, unlike the summer break, there isn't any shutdown of factories as per the regular norm.

The factories have utilized the pause by working extra hours to burn the midnight oil. This unique predicament presents an equal opportunity for all the teams to up their level in playing catchup to Red Bull.

What are the teams planning?

Last year, Azerbaijan GP showed how bad the porpoising issues can get because of its high-speed straights with some of the most aggressive braking zones. Fortunately, the concerns with the track surfaces have diminished this year. To extend that straight-line speed- fans expected Mercedes to bring out substantial improvements in its machinery.

Unfortunately, the Silver Arrows need more time to implement an overall balanced set of improvements, that is capable of suiting W14's utility on most tracks. The team's insistence on working out an overhaul of their concept has to be a cautionary one. It will take a good chunk of designing and production. If they rush it, it might do them more harm than good.

Ferrari has done the exact opposite to Mercedes, as the Prancing Horses are gambling to overhaul their team internally, getting rid of their traditional philosophies. Without a Constructors' title for 15 straight seasons, a change in ideology might actually be a good thing.

They are going for a new rear wing which promises to produce less downforce to compete with Red Bull's low drag advantage at Azerbaijan GP 2023. Further changes with the floor beds will only happen before Monaco and not anytime soon. Like Mercedes, proper changes for Ferrari will take time, and they won't arrive at Baku.

McLaren has some critical problems that need sorting out in their car, as they have been noticeably poor. One race changes nothing, as the team secured points against a chaotic Australian GP 2023 filled with retirements, crashes, and penalties.

Missing out on their winter development goals, Zac Brown was honest about the underwhelming machine they had ready for the season. McLaren was the first team to start preparations for early upgrades to salvage the season ridden with poor performance, aerodynamic inefficiency, and reliability issues. They made it crystal clear in improving their car ahead of Baku.

Alpine has its sights on coming second with an ambitious plan. Significant upgrades after lengthy simulations have boosted the French outfit with confidence ahead of the Azerbaijan GP 2023. They say that wind tunnel testing has shown sixth tens of an improvement. If their claims are indeed honest, Alpine's far-fetched promises can surprise us all.