Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix begins in Baku

The Azerbaijan Formula 1 Grand Prix is underway in Baku, and the first free practice session began at 12:30.

According to local media, a second practice session for the main drivers is also scheduled for September 24.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will run until September 26.

The Baku City Circuit consists of 20 corners and 51 laps, covering a total race distance of 306.049 kilometres.

Baku hosted its first Formula 1 race in 2016, when the event was staged as the European Grand Prix. It was later renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and has retained that name ever since, except in 2020, when the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Nico Rosberg won the inaugural Baku race in 2016. He was followed by Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen as winners of subsequent editions. Perez claimed his second Baku victory in 2023, while Oscar Piastri triumphed in 2024 and Verstappen won in 2025.

Ahead of this year's race, Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' championship on 292 points. His teammate George Russell is second with 211 points, while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is third on 191.

Mercedes tops the constructors' championship with 503 points, ahead of Ferrari on 358 and McLaren on 306.

Thursday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule:

• 10:00 — Formula 2 free practice

• 12:30 — Formula 1 first free practice

• 14:00 — Formula 2 first qualifying session

• 14:30 — Formula 2 second qualifying session

• 16:00 — Formula 1 second free practice

By Aghakazim Guliyev