Azerbaijan Grand Prix: F1 Race Day in Baku

Formula One returned to the streets of Baku on Sunday for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with live coverage beginning at 12pm BST for fans following the race worldwide. The event forms part of the ongoing 2026 championship season, in which drivers and constructors accumulate points across a series of Grands Prix.

Conditions in the Azerbaijani capital were a talking point ahead of the race, as strong winds had been affecting the city in the build-up. According to a broadcaster covering the event, the winds subsequently dropped, easing concerns for teams fine-tuning their cars for the demanding circuit.

The Baku City Circuit is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive tracks on the Formula One calendar. It features an extremely long straight, allowing cars to reach some of the highest speeds of the season, alongside a tight, twisting section through the city's old town, where narrow streets and sharp corners demand precision from drivers. This contrast between high-speed sections and technical, low-speed corners has historically made the race unpredictable, with safety cars and incidents not uncommon.

Wind can pose a particular challenge on street circuits such as Baku's, where cars run close to walls and barriers, leaving little margin for error. Teams monitor weather conditions closely in the hours before a race, as changes can affect car setup, tyre strategy and driver confidence through the faster corners.

Coverage of the Grand Prix was provided through a live blog, with regular updates tracking developments throughout the session. Readers were also encouraged to sign up for the Recap, a newsletter offering a roundup of sports coverage, and invited to contact the reporter directly by email with feedback or questions.

As the season progresses, each round adds further significance to the drivers' and constructors' standings, with results in Baku likely to influence the broader picture as teams continue their pursuit of the 2026 titles.