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F1 returns from its spring break and is off to its first European round of the 2023 season. What does the Azerbaijan Grand Prix have in store for us? Will Red Bull’s domination continue? Make sure to check out our F1 predictions for this weekend.
Here is all the information you need to know ahead of the Azerbaijan GP, including the start times for the sessions, how to watch and more. It’s also worth remembering that this is going to be the first F1 Sprint weekend of the year, which also marks the debut of the new Sprint format.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Start Time UK and Schedule
Contents
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Date
The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, April 30th.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Start Time
The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to go green at 11:00 am GMT. You can check out the detailed schedule for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix below.
Azerbaijan GP 2023 Schedule
| Friday, April 28th | Session Time (GMT) |
| Free Practice 1 | 9:30 am – 10:30 am |
| Qualifying | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Saturday, April 29th | Session Time (GMT) |
| Sprint Qualifying | 8:30 am – 9:14 am |
| Sprint Race | 1:30 pm |
| Sunday, April 30th | Session Time (GMT) |
| Race | 11:00 am |
How Can I Watch the Azerbaijan GP?
For those in the UK, the Azerbaijan GP will be available to watch both on TV and streaming. On TV, you can catch up with the action live on Sky Sports F1, with the lights set to go off at 11:00 am. Streaming is available on NOW.
After the checkered flag drops, you can catch up with the highlights show on Channel 4.
F1 fans in the US can catch up with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix action live on ESPN, starting at 9:00 am ET.
Television Channels
| TV Channel | Location |
| Sky Sports F1 | UK |
| ESPN | US |
| TSN/RDS | Canada |
| Fox Sports | Australia |
Streaming Services
| Streaming Service | Location |
| NOW TV/Sky Go App | UK |
| ESPN | US |
| TSN Direct | Canada |
| Kayo | Australia |
About the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
What would become the Azerbaijan Grand Prix started off as a GT3 race, originally called the Baku City Challenge, in 2012. In 2014, the Baku street circuit was announced as part of the F1 schedule for 2016.
Originally a short track of just over 3.9 km, the street circuit was extended to 6 km. The first edition of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw a Mercedes 1-2, as eventual champion Nico Rosberg led home teammate Lewis Hamilton.
The following year, Baku saw plenty of drama as championship rivals Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel had a run-in under the Safety Car, with Vettel intentionally hitting Hamilton. The Ferrari driver was penalised, while the Mercedes driver lost out on what looked like an easy win after his headrest came loose. Daniel Ricciardo emerged from the chaos unscratched to take a shock win for Red Bull.
In 2018, there was more late-race drama, as pole winner Vettel’s frustrated overtake attempt on longtime race leader Valtteri Bottas dropped the German down the order. In the end, Bottas picked up a puncture unrelated to the incident. Hamilton ended up picking his first win of the season, in a crucial moment to set up his charge for the title.
The 2021 edition also had plenty of late drama, as longtime leader Verstappen lost out on a certain victory following a puncture with three laps to go. Verstappen’s misfortune led to a red flag and a chaotic restart, with Hamilton making a crucial mistake into turn 1 and Sergio Perez inheriting the win.
Baku usually invites drama, as the tight and twisty street circuit is always ready to catch drivers out. From turns 3 to 15, drivers must be on their toes in order to avoid a crash – especially in the twisty and narrow castle section (turns 8-12). The tall curbs have also presented problems in previous years, and drivers have to watch them out to avoid slow punctures.
Altitude and Weather
Just like in most European races, altitude won’t be much of a factor in Azerbaijan.
As for the weather forecast, temperatures will oscilate between 19 and 24°C with cloudy skies during the sessions. In other words, ideal conditions for racing and tyre saving. The Sprint race on Saturday will be run under a 21°C weather, while the forecast for Sunday lists a 20% chance of rain and 24°C.
Azerbaijan GP Stats
Here are the stats for the Azerbaijan GP: First Azerbaijan Grand Prix: 2016
Last Azerbaijan Grand Prix: 2022
Circuit length: 6.003 km
Number of laps: 51
Race distance: 306.049 km
Lap record: Charles Leclerc, 2019 (1:43.009)
Most Wins (Drivers)
Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas – 1
Most Wins (Constructors)
Red Bull – 3 Mercedes – 2
Azerbaijan Offers More than Just Racing
The Baku City Circuit also provides F1 fans with some of the best sights in the Azerbaijan capital city. Two of them, the 12th-century Maiden Tower and the 15th-century Palace of the Shirvanshahs, have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
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