By Kate Dowding
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix comes at a crucial point of the season. Baku forms the first race of a triple-header and with it’s tight corners and long straight, it promises to be a strategic and fascinating race.
Race on Saturday
This race ‘weekend’ looks a little different, with the race itselfbeing held on Saturday 26th September 2026, to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day on the Sunday. This means that FP3 and qualifying are on Friday 25thSeptember, with FP1 and 2 on Thursday 24th September.
Current Standings
Kimi Antonelli starts the weekend with an impressive 81-point lead over teammate George Russell, and Hamilton a further 20 points behind him. However, Baku is such an unpredictable circuit that it could be anyone’s race.
Baku, with its volatility and high Safety Car probability of 67%, could offer the best chance for a surprise winner and for some midfield teams to grab some points.
Who to Watch
Mercedes: Antonelli’s consistency must make him the favourite, but Baku’s jeopardy mans that even he will ned to drive carefully. Russell needs a strong result if he has any hopes of keeping the title chase alive.
McLaren: the upgrades on the MCL40, and its performance on this type of circuit should give both drivers confidence. Piastri won here in 2024 and Norris will be looking to build on his result in Spain.
Ferrari and Red Bull: Leclerc has taken four consecutive poles here and holds the lap record. Verstappen won from pole in 2025.
Williams’ recent upgrades could make them contenders for some points in midfield.
The Circuit
The Baku City Circuit is a street track of extremes. It has the longest straight in Formula 1, at 2.2km, where cars exceed 220 mph. However, it has the shortest run from ole to the first braking point, which is only 11 metres. Then there’s the narrow Old Town section, which sees the cars threading the needle between medieval walls, at one point just 7.6 metres wide (turns 8/9). Add to the mix 20 corners, which include both technical low-speed sections and high-speed blasts, and you have a recipe for an exciting and unpredictable 51 lap race.
It will be mentally challenging for the drivers, especially the difficulty of braking into Turn 1 after the long straight, when the tyres will be cooling down, increasing the risk of locking up.
Strategy and Tyres
With qualifying on Friday, the teams have one fewer night to digest practice data before parc ferme conditions begin, increasing the likelihood of setup misjudgements.
It will be difficult to nail the setup, as compromises will need to be made between low drag for the straights and downforce for the tight corners.
Rapid grip evolution is expected as rubber builds, with Formula 2 running multiple sessions.
Pirelli is bringing the brings the C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), and C5 (Soft) compounds — its softest range, but one step harder than last year’s selection. Low abrasion and smooth asphalt mean a onestop race is again the most likely scenario, with the Softs capable of long stints.
Weekend Schedule (BST)
Thursday 24th September 2026
FP1: 09:30 – 10:30
FP2: 13:00 – 14:00
Friday 25th September 2026
FP3: 09:30 – 10:30
Qualifying: 13:00 – 14:00
Saturday 26th September 2026
Grand Prix: 12:00 noon
