The Azerbaijan GP Watchlist

Get set for part one of a flyaway triple-header as we set our sights on Baku with five things you need to know

Published

22 SEP 2026

Est. reading time

3 min

Since arriving on the Formula 1 scene in 2016, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has quickly developed a reputation for being one of the most unpredictable events on the calendar.

Held in the heart of Baku with the pit lane in the footprint of Government House, this race offers a blend of high-speed action on long straights and narrow turns around the walls of the old city.

Here are five things you need to know about this weekend's event:

A Saturday race

For the first time in Baku's history on the calendar, race day falls on a Saturday. Sunday 27 September is Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day so, at the request of the promoter and local government, the entire weekend has been shifted forward by 24 hours.

That means practice runs Thursday, qualifying is Friday, and lights out comes on Saturday afternoon local time. It's the first of two Saturday races on the 2026 calendar, with Las Vegas still to come in the schedule.

The Old & The New

The Baku City Circuit is one of the longest circuits in F1, measuring just over six kilometres, with 20 turns that bend their way around the old and the new of Azerbaijan's capital.

The track's middle sector weaves around the UNESCO-protected Walled City of Baku, which dates back as far as the 12th century. On the other end of the scale, the main straight – where cars can hit speeds of over 350 km/h – is bookended by the ultra-modern Flame Towers and The Crescent.

Unpredictability is in Baku's nature

Baku has earned a reputation for unpredictability, with plenty of drama occurring in the nine races it has hosted.

The tight sections, including the narrowest section of the entire season at just 7.6m wide, leave little room for error, while the 2km flat-out blast from T16 to T1 creates plenty of overtaking opportunities.

Notably, the 2017 race had it all – multi-car overtakes, bold strategies, Safety Cars, a red flag, and a top three that featured the youngest rookie to ever stand on the podium – Lance Stroll in his FW40.

And who can forget last season’s qualifying session? The City of Winds lived up to its name, with gusts catching out drivers and bringing out a record-breaking six red flags.