The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a tough act to follow, but the Baku City Circuit is a fitting successor, offering up its own brand of fast, unpredictable racing on this lightning-fast street track.  

There are many reasons why we love Baku, not least the short walk from our hotels in the city to the paddock. Set on the shores of the Caspian Sea coastline, the city blends modern architecture with rich history. Cars race beneath an array of eye-catching skyscrapers and modern buildings, and through the Old City, between medieval walls, including a UNESCO Heritage Site. Combining a variety of different types of corners, with long straights, it’s also a great all-round test of an F1 car.  

Lando and Oscar were back at the McLaren Technology Centre between rounds to debrief and catch up with the team. During their visit, we asked them and Team Principal Andrea Stella for their thoughts on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. We’ve also explained why we love the circuit, highlighted its main challenges, and provided an update on the Constructors’ Championship standings.  

“I'm pumped to be back racing this weekend in Baku. Street circuits bring a different challenge, and I can't wait to get out there and put myself to the test. I’ve been back at MTC, working hard to be in the best position to go for another win.”

“I’ve got extremely fond memories of Baku last year. I regard that as one of my favourite races ever and it’s always an advantage coming back to a track where you’ve had a big result.  

“My only focus is on achieving more of the same this weekend. I am leading the Drivers’ Championship and I am very happy with where my driving is.” 

“Heading into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, we are preparing for all the variables of a tricky, unpredictable street race.  Baku is a technically challenging circuit and also demands extreme precision from the drivers.   

“It’s an event which still holds special relevance for us, as the race where we took the lead in the Constructors’ Championship last year and Oscar took an exciting race win.  While competition remains close with multiple teams contending for victories, we remain focused on our own performance and feel well prepared for the weekend ahead.” 

Why we love the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

If we asked an F1 fan to design their own F1 track, it would probably look a little something like the Baku City Circuit.  

Set on the streets in the heart of Baku, it features several narrow, winding sections that are not dissimilar to Monaco. But unlike the race in Monte Carlo, Baku invites overtaking with a huge straight and many much wider corners. The first turn even allows cars to run three wide - highly unusual on a street circuit.  

It offers a little bit of everything that fans love. Tight, technical sections of track where cars must thread the eye of the needle, while bunching up the grid, but also much longer, wider sections where drivers can put their foot down and race. And what’s better, it’s all packed onto one of F1’s coolest street circuits, in a city bursting with history. 

What are the challenges?

A high-speed circuit is a fantastic spectacle for viewers but a tricky challenge for drivers. They must find the limit while avoiding the barriers at a much higher speed than in Monaco, albeit on a wider track.   

A long, 2.2km stretch of road separates Turns 16 and 1. It’s taken almost entirely at full throttle and features two ultra-fast walled corners that require a rapid change of direction at around 300kph. Speed is ramped up again by a DRS zone on the straight, ahead of the track’s best overtaking opportunity going into Turn 1.   

On the other end of the spectrum, the track also includes the tightest corner on the F1 calendar. Turns 8, 9 and 10 wind through Baku’s beautiful Old City and narrow to just 7.6m wide, requiring pinpoint precision.  

These two contrasting sections ask different questions of the car, which presents a challenge for our engineers. Do you prioritise speed on the straights and run as little downforce as possible, or do you run with higher downforce to maximise your pace in the corners?

The season so far

Lando and Oscar finished second and third in the previous race in Italy, extending our lead in the Constructors’ standings to 337 points. With eight rounds remaining, we can clinch the Championship in Baku if we finish the weekend 346 points ahead of second place.  

In the Drivers’ standings, Oscar is first with 324 points, ahead of Lando in second on 293 points. 

The fit

F1 is entering its night racing era, and we’re here for it. Four of the final eight races will be run under the lights, and to celebrate, we’ve produced a stealthy night race range, combining dark phantom colours with the bright neon-esque evening primrose.