Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku: Circuit Guide, History and Records
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix returns to the streets of Baku from Thursday 24 September to Saturday 26 September 2026 for one of Formula 1’s fastest and most distinctive city races. The unusual Thursday-to-Saturday timetable means the Grand Prix will take place one day earlier than the traditional Sunday race format.
Baku City Circuit combines two completely different challenges within the same 6.003-kilometre lap. Drivers must negotiate the narrow medieval streets surrounding the Old City before accelerating onto an exceptionally long flat-out section beside the Caspian Sea, where Formula 1 cars reach some of the highest speeds of the season.
The contrast between tight 90-degree corners, heavy braking zones, unforgiving barriers and the long shoreline straight has given Baku a reputation for unpredictable races. Safety Cars, late incidents, tyre failures and strategic reversals have repeatedly changed the outcome of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
For Ferrari, Baku has often delivered strong qualifying performances without the race victory the Scuderia has been seeking. Charles Leclerc holds the official race lap record and secured four consecutive Azerbaijan Grand Prix pole positions between 2021 and 2024. In 2026, he and Lewis Hamilton will again attempt to convert Ferrari’s speed into its first win on the streets of Baku.
Follow the latest Ferrari news, technical analysis and results from the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at a glance
| Event | 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix |
|---|---|
| Dates | 24–26 September 2026 |
| Championship round | Round 15 |
| Venue | Baku City Circuit |
| Location | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Weekend format | Standard Grand Prix format held from Thursday to Saturday |
| Circuit length | 6.003 km |
| Number of corners | 20 |
| Number of laps | 51 |
| Race distance | 306.049 km |
| Track direction | Anti-clockwise |
| Race start | Saturday 26 September at 15:00 local time |
| First Formula 1 race in Baku | 2016 European Grand Prix |
| First Azerbaijan Grand Prix | 2017 |
2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule
The 2026 race weekend starts on Thursday and concludes with the Grand Prix on Saturday. Despite the revised days, the event retains the standard Formula 1 format of three practice sessions, qualifying and the race.
| Session | Date | Local Baku time |
|---|---|---|
| Free Practice 1 | Thursday 24 September | 12:30–13:30 |
| Free Practice 2 | Thursday 24 September | 16:00–17:00 |
| Free Practice 3 | Friday 25 September | 12:30–13:30 |
| Qualifying | Friday 25 September | 16:00–17:00 |
| Race | Saturday 26 September | 15:00 |
All times are local Baku time and remain subject to timetable changes by Formula 1, the FIA or the event organiser.
You can also consult the complete 2026 Formula 1 schedule and race results, the latest Formula 1 driver standings and the current constructor standings.
Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix held from Thursday to Saturday?
The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix uses an unusual Thursday-to-Saturday timetable, with the race taking place on Saturday 26 September rather than Sunday.
The change moves the entire Formula 1 programme forward by one day. Practice begins on Thursday, qualifying takes place on Friday and the Grand Prix concludes the event on Saturday afternoon.
Fans planning to attend should pay particular attention to the revised schedule, as it differs from both previous Baku weekends and the standard timetable used at most Formula 1 events.
What happened at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen won the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Red Bull after starting from pole position. George Russell finished second for Mercedes, while Carlos Sainz secured a notable third place and the first podium of his Williams career.
The race began dramatically when Oscar Piastri moved before the lights went out and then crashed at Turn 5 during the opening lap. Verstappen controlled the race from the front, while Russell moved ahead of Sainz through the pit-stop phase.
Ferrari endured a disappointing weekend after previously establishing a strong qualifying record at Baku. Charles Leclerc qualified tenth following a Q3 crash, while Lewis Hamilton started 12th. Hamilton finished eighth and Leclerc ninth, earning only six points for the Scuderia.
Recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2024 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 2023 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2021 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull |
| 2019 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2017 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull |
The 2020 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first Formula 1 race held in Baku was officially the 2016 European Grand Prix, won by Nico Rosberg for Mercedes.
Baku City Circuit information
| Official circuit name | Baku City Circuit |
|---|---|
| Circuit type | Temporary street circuit |
| Circuit length | 6.003 km |
| Race laps | 51 |
| Race distance | 306.049 km |
| Number of corners | 20 |
| Track direction | Anti-clockwise |
| Official race lap record | 1:43.009 – Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2019 |
| Fastest qualifying lap | 1:40.203 – Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2023 |
| Top speed recorded | 378 km/h – Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 2016 |
| Longest flat-out section | Approximately 2.2 km |
| Narrowest section | Approximately 7.6 metres near the Old City |
| Most Azerbaijan GP victories | Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen – two each |
| Most successful constructor | Red Bull – five victories |
What makes the Baku City Circuit unique?
Baku is unlike any other street circuit in Formula 1. Monaco is compact and slow, while Singapore places greater emphasis on sustained cornering and heat management. Baku combines similarly unforgiving barriers with a long, high-speed section more commonly associated with a permanent circuit.
The track begins on wide city boulevards before narrowing dramatically around the Icherisheher Old City. Drivers pass ancient stone walls, the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs before returning towards the modern waterfront.
The passage through Turns 8, 9 and 10 measures only around 7.6 metres at its narrowest point. There is little room to adjust the line, and even a small lock-up or loss of concentration can end a qualifying lap or race immediately.
After the technical Old City section, the circuit opens into a sequence of faster corners leading onto the approximately 2.2-kilometre flat-out run beside the Caspian Sea. Slipstreaming and aerodynamic efficiency become crucial as drivers approach the heavy braking zone at Turn 1.
A lap of the Baku Formula 1 circuit
Main straight and Turn 1
The lap begins on the exceptionally long start-finish straight running along Neftchilar Avenue. Cars approach Turn 1 at very high speed before braking heavily for a 90-degree left-hander.
The width of the straight allows drivers to run side by side or even three abreast under braking. It is one of the clearest overtaking opportunities on the circuit, but contact and front-wheel locking are common risks.
Turns 2 and 3
Turn 2 is another left-hand 90-degree corner that leads onto a shorter straight. Traction is important because drivers accelerate towards Turn 3, where another major braking opportunity can create an overtaking chance.
The repeated stop-start nature of the opening sector places considerable demand on the brakes and rear tyres. Drivers must also remain close to the barriers to minimise distance without leaving themselves vulnerable to a mistake.
Turn 4 and the approach to the Old City
Turn 4 continues the sequence of slow 90-degree corners before the circuit begins to tighten. The approach towards Turns 5, 6 and 7 requires accuracy because the available space gradually decreases.
Cars need sufficient mechanical grip and traction through this section, while drivers must avoid overheating the rear tyres during repeated acceleration phases.
The castle section at Turns 8, 9 and 10
Turn 8 marks the entrance to Baku’s famous Old City section. The track narrows sharply and climbs beside the medieval fortress walls, creating one of the most visually recognisable sections in Formula 1.
Drivers turn left at Turn 8 before negotiating Turns 9 and 10 with almost no space between the car and the barriers. Overtaking is effectively impossible, and a stopped car can block the circuit and trigger a red flag.
The entry must be precise because the car needs to remain correctly positioned throughout the sequence. Carrying too much speed into Turn 8 risks an immediate impact with the wall, while excessive caution can cost significant lap time.
Turns 11 and 12
After leaving the narrowest part of the Old City, the circuit continues climbing through Turns 11 and 12. These corners require controlled acceleration and careful positioning before the faster section of the lap begins.
Drivers must quickly change from the slow, technical rhythm of the castle section to a more committed approach through the following high-speed corners.
Turns 13 to 15
Turns 13 and 14 are fast changes of direction that lead towards the downhill braking zone at Turn 15. The barriers remain close, and the reduced downforce used for Baku can make the car nervous during rapid direction changes.
Turn 15 is especially difficult because drivers brake while descending towards a tight left-hander. Locking the inside front tyre or missing the braking point can send the car directly into the wall or escape road.
Turn 16 and the flat-out waterfront section
Turn 16 is the final conventional braking corner of the lap. A strong exit is essential because it begins a prolonged flat-out section through Turns 17, 18, 19 and 20 and along the main straight.
Drivers carry full throttle for approximately 2.2 kilometres before reaching Turn 1. The slipstream effect can be substantial, particularly during the race, allowing a following car to gain speed and attempt an overtake under braking.
Baku setup and technical demands
Baku creates one of Formula 1’s most difficult aerodynamic compromises. Teams need enough downforce to generate grip through the Old City and maintain stability under braking, but excessive wing angle produces a major speed penalty along the waterfront straight.
Most teams therefore use a medium-to-low-downforce configuration. The objective is to reduce drag without leaving the car too unstable through the slower corners and rapid direction changes.
Braking performance is particularly important. The lap contains several major stops from high speed, including Turns 1, 3 and 15. Brake temperatures must remain controlled despite repeated deceleration events and relatively limited opportunities for cooling at low speed.
Traction is another key performance factor because many of Baku’s corners are followed by acceleration zones. Rear-wheel slip can damage the tyres and reduce speed along the next straight.
The smooth asphalt often produces relatively low tyre degradation, but warming the tyres can become difficult. Drivers may struggle to generate immediate grip after a pit stop or Safety Car period, while cooler track conditions can increase the risk of locking the brakes.
Wind from the Caspian Sea can also change braking points and car balance. A headwind or tailwind along the long straight can significantly affect top speed, slipstream strength and the approach to Turn 1.
Explore our Ferrari technical analysis archive for updates on the SF-26 aerodynamic package, wing configuration, braking performance and tyre behaviour during the Baku weekend.
Why the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is so unpredictable
Baku’s reputation for unpredictable racing is created by several factors working together. The long straight encourages overtaking, while the narrow technical sections increase the likelihood of accidents and interruptions.
A Safety Car can dramatically reduce the advantage of a leading driver and change the optimal pit-stop window. Because the pit-lane time loss is relatively modest compared with several other circuits, teams must constantly evaluate whether to stop before, during or after an interruption.
The powerful slipstream can also make leading difficult. A driver at the front may be vulnerable on a restart because the cars behind can use the tow along the entire main straight.
Track position remains valuable because passing through the middle sector is extremely difficult, but a car configured only for qualifying grip may struggle to defend along the straight during the race.
History of Formula 1 in Baku
Formula 1 first raced in Azerbaijan in 2016, when Baku hosted the European Grand Prix. The event was given the Azerbaijan Grand Prix title from 2017 onwards.
The city circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke and constructed around the existing streets of central Baku. Its route was developed to showcase both the city’s historic architecture and its modern waterfront.
Nico Rosberg won the inaugural 2016 race for Mercedes after starting from pole position. The event itself was relatively controlled, but the dramatic races that followed quickly changed Baku’s reputation.
The 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix established the circuit as one of Formula 1’s most unpredictable venues. Multiple incidents, Safety Cars and a red flag produced a surprise victory for Daniel Ricciardo.
The event was absent in 2020 because of the global pandemic but returned in 2021. It has since become an established part of the Formula 1 calendar and celebrates ten years since the championship first arrived in Baku during the 2026 season.
Most memorable Azerbaijan Grand Prix moments
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel clash in 2017
The 2017 race became famous for an incident between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel behind the Safety Car. Vettel believed Hamilton had deliberately slowed in front of him, made contact with the Mercedes and then drove alongside before hitting Hamilton’s car.
Vettel received a stop-and-go penalty. Hamilton later lost his chance of victory when he had to pit because his headrest had not been correctly secured. Daniel Ricciardo recovered from tenth on the grid to win, while Lance Stroll claimed his first podium.
Red Bull teammates collide in 2018
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen spent much of the 2018 race fighting one another before colliding on the approach to Turn 1. Both Red Bull cars retired from the Grand Prix.
Valtteri Bottas appeared set to win after taking the lead during a late Safety Car period, but debris caused a tyre failure on the main straight. Lewis Hamilton inherited the victory.
Charles Leclerc crashes in qualifying in 2019
Charles Leclerc had shown strong pace throughout the 2019 weekend before crashing at Turn 8 during qualifying. The Ferrari driver accepted responsibility immediately over the radio.
Leclerc recovered from eighth on the grid to finish fifth and set the 1:43.009 race lap that remains Baku’s official Formula 1 record.
Tyre failure and restart drama in 2021
Max Verstappen was leading the 2021 race when his left-rear tyre failed at high speed on the main straight. The race was stopped and restarted for a two-lap sprint.
Lewis Hamilton briefly moved ahead of Sergio Perez at the restart but accidentally activated the wrong brake setting and ran straight on at Turn 1. Perez won the race, while Sebastian Vettel finished second and Pierre Gasly third.
Ferrari’s double retirement in 2022
Charles Leclerc started the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from pole position, but his race ended with a power-unit failure. Carlos Sainz had already retired with a hydraulic problem.
The double retirement dealt a serious blow to Ferrari’s championship campaign, while Max Verstappen led a Red Bull one-two ahead of Sergio Perez.
Sergio Perez completes the 2023 double
The 2023 event featured Formula 1’s Sprint format. Charles Leclerc claimed pole for both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, but Sergio Perez won both races.
The result made Perez the first driver to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix more than once and strengthened his reputation on street circuits.
Oscar Piastri defeats Charles Leclerc in 2024
Charles Leclerc started from pole for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. Oscar Piastri overtook the Ferrari driver into Turn 1 after the pit stops and resisted sustained pressure to win for McLaren.
Leclerc finished second, while a late collision between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz removed both drivers from podium contention on the penultimate lap.
Max Verstappen wins as Ferrari struggles in 2025
Max Verstappen controlled the 2025 Grand Prix from pole position. George Russell finished second, while Carlos Sainz completed the podium for Williams.
Ferrari was unable to continue its sequence of Baku pole positions. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished eighth and ninth after starting outside the leading positions.
Ferrari’s history at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Ferrari has frequently demonstrated strong qualifying pace in Baku but has not yet won a Formula 1 race at the circuit. The Scuderia’s best results have been second-place finishes.
Sebastian Vettel finishes second in the first Baku race
Sebastian Vettel finished second behind Nico Rosberg in the 2016 European Grand Prix. The result gave Ferrari a podium during Formula 1’s first visit to Azerbaijan.
Kimi Räikkönen takes second in 2018
Kimi Räikkönen recovered from an opening-lap incident to finish second in the dramatic 2018 race. The result remains one of Ferrari’s strongest Baku performances.
Charles Leclerc builds an exceptional qualifying record
Charles Leclerc secured four consecutive Azerbaijan Grand Prix pole positions between 2021 and 2024. The sequence demonstrated both his confidence on street circuits and Ferrari’s ability to produce strong single-lap performance at Baku.
Leclerc converted the 2024 pole into second place after a long battle with Oscar Piastri. It remains Ferrari’s most recent podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Ferrari searches for its first Baku victory
Despite its qualifying success, Ferrari has not yet won in Azerbaijan. Reliability problems, strategic setbacks, incidents and stronger race pace from rival teams have repeatedly prevented the Scuderia from converting grid position into victory.
The 2026 event therefore represents another opportunity for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to deliver Ferrari’s first Baku win.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix records and statistics
- First Formula 1 race in Baku: 2016 European Grand Prix.
- First Azerbaijan Grand Prix: 2017.
- Most Azerbaijan GP victories: Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, with two each.
- Most successful constructor: Red Bull, with five Azerbaijan Grand Prix victories.
- Official race lap record: Charles Leclerc, 1:43.009 in 2019.
- Fastest qualifying lap: Charles Leclerc, 1:40.203 in 2023.
- Highest officially recorded speed: Valtteri Bottas, 378 km/h in 2016.
- Most consecutive pole positions: Charles Leclerc, four from 2021 to 2024.
- Longest flat-out section: approximately 2.2 kilometres.
- Narrowest track section: approximately 7.6 metres near the Old City.
- Ferrari victories in Baku: none.
- Most recent winner: Max Verstappen in 2025.
- 2020 event: cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequently asked questions about the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
When is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
The event will take place from Thursday 24 September to Saturday 26 September 2026. The race is scheduled to start at 15:00 local Baku time on Saturday.
Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on a Saturday?
The entire 2026 weekend has been moved one day earlier than the conventional Formula 1 timetable. Practice begins on Thursday, qualifying takes place on Friday and the race is held on Saturday.
Where is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix held?
The race takes place on the Baku City Circuit, a temporary street track running through the centre of Azerbaijan’s capital and alongside the Caspian Sea.
How long is the Baku City Circuit?
The track is 6.003 kilometres long. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix covers 51 laps and a total official race distance of 306.049 kilometres.
How many corners does Baku have?
Baku City Circuit contains 20 corners and runs in an anti-clockwise direction.
Why is the Baku circuit so fast?
The lap contains an approximately 2.2-kilometre flat-out section from Turn 16 to the braking zone for Turn 1. The long run allows Formula 1 cars to achieve extremely high speeds with the assistance of the slipstream and DRS.
What is the narrowest part of the Baku circuit?
The circuit narrows to approximately 7.6 metres around Turns 8, 9 and 10 beside the walls of Baku’s Old City.
Who has won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix most often?
Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen share the record with two Azerbaijan Grand Prix victories each.
Has Ferrari ever won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
No. Ferrari has achieved pole positions, podium finishes and the official race lap record at Baku, but the Scuderia has not yet won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Who holds the Baku lap record?
Charles Leclerc holds the official race lap record with a 1:43.009 set for Ferrari in 2019. He also holds the fastest qualifying lap with a 1:40.203 recorded in 2023.
Is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix a Sprint weekend?
No. It uses the standard Formula 1 format with three practice sessions, qualifying and the Grand Prix, although all sessions take place from Thursday to Saturday.
Follow Ferrari at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
ScuderiaFans will provide complete coverage of Ferrari’s 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, including practice reports, qualifying analysis, race results, technical developments, strategy assessments and reactions from Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and the Maranello team.
Visit our dedicated 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix archive for the latest Ferrari news from Baku.
Plan your trip to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- Trackside attractions, racing schedule and concerts at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- Best hotels and accommodation near Baku City Circuit
- Complete guide to attending the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku
- How to buy Azerbaijan Grand Prix tickets and packages
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix costs and budget guide
- Baku transport and circuit access guide
- Essential travel tips for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- Things to see and experience in Baku during the Grand Prix
