Formula 1 arrives in Baku this weekend for Round 15 of the 2026 season, bringing the circus to the Baku City Circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The action kicks off with Free Practice 1 and 2 on Thursday, September 24, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Friday, September 25, and the Grand Prix itself on Saturday, September 26.
Let us look at the vital statistics for this unique venue. First making an appearance on the calendar in 2017 (and as the European Grand Prix in 2016), the track measures 6.003km in length. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc holds the lap record with a 1m 43.009s set in 2019, and he also boasts the most pole positions here with 4. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen share the record for the most wins with 2 apiece. At its narrowest point in the Turn 8/9 'Old Town' complex, the circuit shrinks to just 7.6 metres wide, and the pole run to the Turn 1 braking point measures a mere 111 metres, making it the shortest on the calendar. Last year saw 55 overtakes completed, while the previous six races in Azerbaijan show a 67% Safety Car probability, a 50% Virtual Safety Car probability, and a pit stop time loss of 19.27 seconds, which includes 2.5 seconds stationary.
Former Renault F1 driver Jolyon Palmer shared his verdict on the circuit, noting that it is a long lap where drivers must piece together lengthy straights, big braking zones, and a winding middle and tough third sector. Braking for Turn 1 is tricky because the corner arrives quickly after the start-finish line, yet the journey from the final turn feels like it takes forever. Gaining a massive amount of time with a slipstream—whether orchestrated or pure luck—is entirely possible, making it vital for Qualifying. Out-laps matter immensely too because the track surface is not very abrasive, meaning a slow out-lap can leave tyres cold and cause a lock-up into Turn 1. The notorious castle section is narrow and unforgiving, but Turn 15 stands out as perhaps the trickiest corner as drivers accelerate toward the end of the lap. It is an unsighted left-hander requiring slight braking to the right, demanding precision to avoid the run-off area and looming walls. Ultimately, success comes down to braking and carrying speed out of the apex without getting greedy and clouting the wall.
A look back at the last five Azerbaijan GP polesitters reveals Max Verstappen took pole for Red Bull in 2025, preceded by a four-year streak for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc from 2021 through 2024. As for the last five winners, Max Verstappen took victory for Red Bull in 2025, Oscar Piastri won for McLaren in 2024, Sergio Perez triumphed for Red Bull in 2023, Max Verstappen won in 2022, and Sergio Perez took the top step in 2021.
Pirelli's weekend preview notes that parts of the city streets forming the circuit have been resurfaced, specifically affecting sections of Turns 2, 3, and 4. This new asphalt is limited in scope and should not alter tyre behaviour, which will initially face low grip levels typical of street circuits. Significant track evolution is expected as rubber progressively builds up on the surface. Because the asphalt is relatively smooth and not very abrasive, very low levels of wear and degradation are anticipated, pointing heavily toward a one-stop race. The C3 acts as the hard, the C4 as the medium, and the C5 as the soft. The C5 could deliver exceptionally long stints, much like it did recently at Monza—a track sharing characteristics with Baku—while the hard compound might be overlooked entirely by many teams. Some graining could appear in early sessions during low grip, but it won't dictate performance. Temperature management will be fascinating; the massive full-throttle blast from the final corner to the first promotes tyre cooling, assisted by wheel rim design, which increases the risk of front axle lock-ups under heavy braking. Furthermore, ambient temperatures should help control tyre overheating since the buildings flanking the circuit create shaded areas that limit track temperature rises.
Looking at the current form coming into Round 15, Mercedes racer Kimi Antonelli sits atop the drivers' standings with an even stronger lead, holding an 81-point advantage over his closest challenger, George Russell. The Italian also holds the momentum with back-to-back victories from the recent double header in Italy and Spain. Meanwhile, McLaren's Lando Norris secured two consecutive wins recently in Hungary and the Netherlands, though the reigning World Champion missed out on a potential third victory in Madrid when the timing of a Virtual Safety Car went against him. Even so, the Briton stated there were "only positives" to take from the MCL40's pace, and it remains to be seen if he and the papaya squad can bring that promise to Baku. Ferrari endured mixed fortunes in Madrid after a brake issue forced Lewis Hamilton to retire, while Charles Leclerc drove a solid race to finish fourth. Max Verstappen squeezed everything out of the Red Bull to claim his second consecutive podium finish, setting up an intriguing battle this weekend. In the midfield, Alpine closed the gap to Racing Bulls in the fight for P5 in the Teams' Championship, Audi added a point courtesy of Nico Hulkenberg as they hunt Haas for P7, and ninth-placed Williams hopes their much-anticipated Baku upgrade package delivers a step forward.
Finally, Azerbaijan has delivered plenty of drama since joining the F1 calendar 10 years ago, with high speeds and concrete walls catching out numerous drivers. One unforgettable memory remains Daniel Ricciardo's incredible overtaking display during the 2017 encounter, highlighted by a stunning three-car pass down the main straight and into Turn 1. Running behind Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg and the Williams cars of Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll, the Australian used the slipstream to perfection before slamming on the brakes at the last moment to keep it clear of the wall.
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