Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026
The dramatic Baku City Circuit, winding past medieval walls and along the Caspian Sea waterfront. A street circuit renowned for producing chaotic, unpredictable races and sensational last-lap drama.
Race Information
Baku City Circuit
Baku, Azerbaijan
51
6.003 km
2017
Charles Leclerc (1:43.009, 2019)
About Baku City Circuit
The Baku City Circuit is one of the most spectacular and unpredictable venues on the Formula 1 calendar. Located in the heart of Azerbaijan's capital city along the shores of the Caspian Sea, the track weaves through a fascinating mix of modern architecture and ancient history. The circuit passes directly alongside the 12th-century walls of Baku's UNESCO-listed Old City, creating a stunning visual contrast with the futuristic Flame Towers that dominate the skyline.
At 6.003 kilometres, Baku is one of the longest circuits in F1 and features an extraordinary range of characteristics within a single lap. The enormously long main straight, stretching for over two kilometres along the waterfront, allows cars to reach speeds in excess of 340 km/h, making low-drag setups attractive. However, the tight and narrow section through the Old City, particularly the barely two-car-wide Turn 8, demands high downforce and pinpoint precision. This conflicting nature makes car setup a significant compromise and contributes to the unpredictability of results.
Since its debut in 2017 (initially as the European Grand Prix), Baku has earned a reputation as the most chaotic race on the calendar. Safety cars, red flags, dramatic crashes, and last-lap incidents have become hallmarks of the event. The 2017 race saw Vettel collide with Hamilton under a safety car, the 2018 race featured Red Bull teammates crashing into each other, and the 2021 race saw Verstappen suffer a tyre blowout while leading before Hamilton overshot Turn 1 on the restart. No circuit produces more drama per kilometre than Baku.
How to Watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
In the UK, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming via Sky Go and NOW TV. The three-hour time difference means the race typically starts in the early afternoon UK time.
Channel 4 shows extended highlights. Visit our TV schedule page for full session times.
International viewers can watch via F1 TV Pro, ESPN (USA), and other regional broadcasters.
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 2024 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 2023 | Sergio Pérez | Red Bull Racing |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2021 | Sergio Pérez | Red Bull Racing |