F1 heads to Baku for Round 15: key Azerbaijan Grand Prix dates, tyre compounds and track notes

The Formula 1 calendar turns to the Baku City Circuit this weekend as Round 15 of the 2026 season is set to be contested in Azerbaijan, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix taking place on Saturday, September 26. Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2 are scheduled for Thursday, September 24, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Friday, September 25, according to Formula 1’s event guide.

In track-specific notes, the guide stresses that Baku’s layout presents a “long lap” and a sequence of distinct demands: lengthy straights and major braking zones in the first sector, a winding second sector, and a challenging third sector. It flags braking for Turn 1 as tricky, noting that Turn 1 arrives quickly after the start/finish line yet appears to take a long time to reach from the final corner, while the slipstream opportunity can be significant in qualifying execution.

The “Need to Know” preview also draws attention to the narrow “castle section” and calls out Turn 15 as the likely most demanding corner due to the unsighted left-hander and the need to brake slightly right, slow down without dropping into the run-off, and avoid the concrete walls. The guide’s emphasis is on braking and carrying sufficient speed out of the apex without being over-aggressive near the barriers.

Tyre-related information comes via Pirelli’s weekend preview. The compounds selected for the event are C3 (hard), C4 (medium) and C5 (soft), and the guide notes that resurfacing work is limited to specific areas affecting Turns 2, 3 and 4. Formula 1 says the new asphalt is not expected to influence tyre behaviour, while grip should build significantly through the weekend due to rubber development, pointing to the likelihood of a one-stop race.

The preview adds that wear and degradation are expected to be low because of the relatively smooth, not-very-abrasive surface, while it warns that temperature management will be crucial. Formula 1 points to the very long full-throttle section linking the final corner to the first promoting tyre cooling, which could increase the risk of front-axle lock-ups under heavy braking.

On the championship storyline heading into Round 15, Formula 1 reports that Kimi Antonelli arrives with a stronger lead at 81 points over closest challenger George Russell, and it notes Antonelli’s back-to-back wins during the recent double header of Italy and Spain. The guide also references recent race form and team battles, including Lando Norris’s consecutive victories in Hungary and the Netherlands, and midfield context such as Alpine closing the gap to Racing Bulls, Audi adding points with Nico Hulkenberg, and Williams hoping for a step forward with a Baku upgrade package. It concludes with historical context, highlighting Daniel Ricciardo’s 2017 Baku overtaking display as a standout memory from Azerbaijan’s time on the calendar.

Written by Vancouver Television Sports Desk