BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 24. The first free
practice session of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has started
at the Baku City Circuit, Trend’s correspondent reports from the race venue.


The first practice session began at 12:30 p.m. and will continue
until 1:30 p.m. During the session, drivers will familiarize
themselves with the track, check their car setups, and prepare for
the remainder of the race weekend.


Another free practice session is scheduled for today. The second
session will start at 4:00 p.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. The main
race of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on September
26.


The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is being held for
the 10th time this year.


The first Formula 1 race at the Baku City Circuit was held in
2016 as the European Grand Prix. Since 2017, the event has been
held as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar. The
race was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


The Baku City Circuit is 6.003 kilometers long. Drivers will
complete 51 laps in the main race, covering more than 306
kilometers. The track runs counterclockwise and features 20
corners.







The Baku circuit is known for its narrow streets, long
straights, and barriers positioned close to the track. Along the
section running beside the Old City walls, the track narrows to 7.6
meters, leaving drivers little room for error.


Baku is also known for producing unexpected results. Sergio
Perez and Max Verstappen are among the drivers who have won the
Azerbaijan Grand Prix twice. Verstappen won in Baku in 2022 and
2025, while Perez crossed the finish line first in 2021 and
2023.


This time, championship leader Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku
with an 81-point lead. The Mercedes driver has won eight of the
first 14 races of the season and also took first place at the most
recent round in Madrid.


This year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix will also feature a different
Formula 2 format. Baku is the only round this season where Formula
2 serves as the sole support series. The schedule includes two
qualifying sessions on Thursday, a sprint race and the first
feature race on Friday, and the second feature race on
Saturday.