Formula 1 returns to one of its most unpredictable venues this weekend as the streets of Baku City Circuit host the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The 6.003km track remains one of the most distinctive on the calendar, combining tight sections through the Old City with heavy braking zones and one of F1’s longest flat-out stretches. This year, the race takes place on Saturday instead of Sunday to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day.
Since F1 first arrived in Baku in 2016 (then called the European Grand Prix), Red Bull and Mercedes have dominated, winning every race except 2024. That exception came thanks to Oscar Piastri, who produced a standout drive for McLaren to beat Charles Leclerc in a tense battle. Piastri became the second Australian to win in Baku, following Daniel Ricciardo’s famous 2017 triumph.
Piastri returns this weekend under very different circumstances. He has now gone more than 12 months without a grand prix victory and hopes Baku can again provide the spark. Last season, this venue was the scene of one of his most damaging weekends in the 2025 title fight, with two crashes halting his momentum.
At the other end of the championship, Kimi Antonelli arrives firmly in control. His victory in Spain was his eighth of the season, extending his lead over teammate George Russell to 81 points—more than three race wins. It also took Antonelli beyond Russell’s career victory tally. Russell has not won since Austria, but Baku has traditionally been one of his stronger circuits, with three podiums in four appearances.
Mercedes has enjoyed considerable success in Azerbaijan, but Red Bull has been equally formidable. Only two drivers have won more than once in Baku: Max Verstappen and former teammate Sergio Perez. Ferrari, meanwhile, is still searching for its first win despite strong qualifying pace. Charles Leclerc started from pole four consecutive times (2021–2024), more than any other driver, but failed to convert any into victory. That underlines the unique challenge of a circuit where outright speed is only part of the equation.
With a revised schedule and a tight championship battle, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises the usual street-fight drama. Don’t miss it.
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