Dive into the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix’s key events and potential upsets awaiting in Baku this season.
In 2023, Baku was one of the three races Max Verstappen conceded to his rivals throughout the season, and it was captured by his team, Red Bull, thanks to Sergio Pérez’s victory.
This year, the Milton Keynes-based team has lost nine out of the sixteen races, and the same holds for Verstappen, as Pérez has not once reached the top step of the podium.
Thus, a highly contested weekend is expected for the victory, with four teams aiming for success. After several years earlier in the calendar, Baku returns to September, but this should not prevent temperatures from approaching 30 degrees, although some clouds are expected.
The Track
After Spa (7004 meters) and Jeddah (6,174 km), Baku is the third longest circuit on the calendar at 6003 meters. Located 28 meters below sea level, the track is often subject to gusts and runs counterclockwise. An average of 28°C is anticipated.
T1 – Approached at about 320 km/h, this braking leads into a tight left turn. Despite other decelerations, the brakes should not be overly stressed as there are many opportunities to cool them. It is the first of many right-angle turns on the track. A peak speed of around 330 km/h is expected in qualifications, or even 340 km/h with drafting. Even though the discs heat up in the twisty middle sector, they are quite cool before the first turn at the end of the endless straight.
T2 – The second 90° left leads onto another straight. It’s a good overtaking opportunity before the third right-angle left.
T4 – This 90° right leads to a left-right chicane (T5-T6) where the Flame Towers can be seen on the horizon.
T8-9 – While much of the track is wide for a city circuit, T8 and T9 offer a real contrast with a narrow and technical section winding around the castle and the medieval, cobbled streets of the old town.
T11 – With its crest and very close walls, T11 penalizes the slightest mistake.
T13 – This slightly banked left is taken at full throttle before an identical T14, followed by heavy braking ahead of the downhill tight left of T15. The barrier is close on exit. Care must be taken not to hit it on reacceleration.
T16 – This final braking leads into the ultra-fast sequence from T17 to T20, leading to the long straight and the pit lane, where a small chicane is encountered at the entrance.
Contenders
After his win in Italy, Charles Leclerc will be one to watch in Azerbaijan, especially in qualifying since he has claimed pole position at Baku in the last three editions of the Grand Prix. In the race, he will likely need to battle more with the McLaren F1 drivers.
Indeed, the Woking team remains the favorite as their car performs well on all terrains, as demonstrated by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri competing for victory on circuits as diverse as Monza and Zandvoort.
Behind them, Mercedes and Red Bull are unknowns as team form varies greatly. However, they are expected to be well ahead of a pack led by Aston Martin, while it is difficult to predict the hierarchy in the second half of the grid.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Schedule
There is a two-hour time difference between France and Azerbaijan, and the Friday sessions are shifted by one hour, at 13:00 and 16:00 French time for FP1 and FP2. Saturday sessions will be at the same time, but the race will be much earlier, on Sunday at 13:00.
| Day | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 13 | 11:30 – 12:30 | Free Practice 1 |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | Free Practice 2 | |
| Saturday, September 14 | 10:30 – 11:30 | Free Practice 3 |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Qualifications | |
| Sunday, September 15 | 13:00 – 15:00 | Race |
The Complete Results of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix:
| Year | Circuit | Winner | Team | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bakou | Sergio Pérez | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2022 | Bakou | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2021 | Bakou | Sergio Pérez | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2019 | Bakou | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Bakou | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2017 | Bakou | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2016 | Bakou* | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | Mercedes |
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Baku Awaits: Surprises at Azerbaijan GP? Baku Awaits: Surprises at Azerbaijan GP?
