F1 2026: Azerbaijan Grand Prix Preview and Predictions

The Formula One action returns this weekend, a day before the normal race day as the race will take place on Saturday in Baku. As the action heats up heading into the business end of the Formula One 2026 season, we have a triple header kicking off in Baku with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026.

Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026, here’s our race preview and predictions.

Red Bull’s lucky track

This weekend’s race will be the ninth race at the Baku street circuit and out of the eight races held in Baku, Red Bull have won 5 times, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez having won twice respectively while Daniel Ricciardo won the inaugural race back in 2017 for Red Bull. Most recently, Oscar Piastri’s win for McLaren in 2024 was the only non-Red Bull driver winning in Baku since 2020. 

It is safe to say that the Azerbaijan track is a strong circuit for Red Bull, with the street circuit supporting their car setup. Red Bull have been on an upward trajectory for the last couple of races with Verstappen having picked up four podiums in the last five races including two second place finishes and two third place finishes. While Red Bull have had to make do with Liam Lawson standing in for Isack Hadjar for the last three races, the team still has been able to put up double points finishes in all but one race since the resumption of the season post the summer break. 

Given Max Verstappen’s recent form, expect the four-time world champion to take the fight to the likes of Mercedes and McLaren. We have Verstappen as a surprise favourite for the race win over the Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari duo.

Dark Horse: Max Verstappen

Can Kimi leave his challengers in the dust?

Along with Red Bull, the only other team on the Formula One grid to have won multiple times at Baku is Mercedes. In fact all of the three wins that are non-Red Bull race wins in Azerbaijan have come from Mercedes power units, with Mercedes having won twice and McLaren, powered by a Mercedes PU, winning in 2024.

It will be a welcome sign for championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who after back-to-back wins in Italy and Spain is now 81 points clear in front in the Drivers’ Championship standing. Antonelli looks in unstoppable form and is storming towards a record-breaking maiden world title. While Red Bull have been the strongest contender in Baku, Mercedes’ form this season makes it hard for anyone to look past them. Antonelli and Russell will both be in the reckoning along with the other favourites on Sunday.

The Mercedes engine works well in Baku, with even Carlos Sainz’s Williams getting on the podium, which was backed by a Mercedes engine, last year. While Red Bull will have the upper hand on a track they have dominated since the start of the Baku race, looking past Mercedes would be daft as we expect Antonelli and Russell to be in a fight with Verstappen. A win or a strong result for Antonelli in Baku would further push the young Italian towards that title as he looks increasingly likely to pick up his first-ever Formula One World Championship in the next couple of races.

Pole prediction: Kimi Antonelli / George Russell 

Race winners prediction: Mercedes / Red Bull

Racing through the midfield

One team who has been making moves through the field in the Constructors’ battle. Racing bulls are on a strong run in the midfield, having scored points in every single race since the Canadian Grand Prix, barring the Zandvoort race. Arvid Lindblad, before the Dutch Grand Prix was on a six-race scoring streak and has been consistently getting the Racing Bull in not only Q3 but making sure to finish in the points on Sunday. 

After the front four, Racing Bulls has been the best of the rest, as they have overtaken the likes of Alpine and the struggling Aston Martin to sit fifth in the Constructors’ table. Racing Bulls have been strong in street circuits this season and we expect Lindblad and co. to have another strong weekend in Baku as the Racing Bulls continue to move up the table in the Constructors’ standings. 

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026: Race details

Circuit: Baku City Circuit
Venue: Azadliq Square, Baku, Azerbaijan
Practice Session 1 time: 14:00 IST, September 24, 2026
Practice Session 2 time: 17:30 IST, September 24, 2026
Practice Session 3: 14:00 IST, September 25, 2026
Qualifying time: 17:30 IST, September 25, 2026
Main race time: 16:30 IST, September 26, 2026
Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode