24 September 2026 09:00 (UTC)
The unique city circuit was host to one of Oscar's greatest victories in 2024
Oscar Piastri is back at the site of one of his most famous victories, and he goes into the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix looking to add to the fond memories he made two years ago.
Oscar produced a masterful drive around the streets of Baku two years ago to earn his second Formula 1 Grand Prix victory, although says he has mixed emotions about the historic city after an opening lap crash in 2025.
However, with that result firmly in the rearview mirror, the Australian says he’s ready to end his ‘love-hate’ relationship with the city circuit with another strong drive this time around.
Key to any success for Oscar, Lando Norris, and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team will be capitalising on the encouraging signs shown at the Madring a fortnight ago, as the team take it one race at a time for the remainder of the season.
The MCL40 was the fastest car in the Spanish capital, but we head to a different type of challenge in Baku with a further set of aerodynamic upgrades that will be evaluated throughout practice. We will also deploy the H-Wing again after its successful debut in Monza, and Oscar hopes that the car’s improved performance will help him deliver a strong showing on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
“I think that you could probably say that both my best race ever and my worst race ever were at this track – it’s always eventful,” Oscar said. “It’s always a big confidence track, and you need to push the limits a lot. It’s quite a rare combination of a street circuit with so many massive braking zones, so it’s an interesting track. Hopefully this year is more like 2024.
“Last weekend, the car was quick eventually but again very difficult to get the lap time out of it. That’s probably the biggest thing, but I feel like we’re making progress and at least exploring different things - some are working, some aren’t. We’re not standing still, which is the most important thing. I’ve definitely felt that we’re throwing everything we can at trying to improve, which has been good.
“There’s only so many things you can do without just jumping in the car and trying stuff. But with the limited time we have, you need to have a good idea of, or a good set of ideas that you want to action. You can’t just try random stuff. I feel like it’s been a very good team response in trying to improve things as quickly as we can. I feel like I’m being well supported.”
Baku also offers new opportunities for Lando, who endured a frustrating Sunday afternoon in Madrid after clinching an exhilarating Pole the day prior.
A Virtual Safety Car erased Lando’s commanding early lead around the corner-heavy Madring, where overtaking proved tricky, but the reigning World Champion fought back to earn a place on the podium with a P3 finish.
It was Lando’s third podium in four races following back-to-back wins in Hungary and the Netherlands, and he is approaching the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with no weight on his shoulders heading into flyaway season.
“I don't know if it's pressure or it's just the fact I'm able to question myself less, because I have the reassurance inside that I can achieve what I want to achieve,” he said.
“It's still pressure, everyone's here because they expect me to do good things and to perform every weekend, as you should and as the whole team should. I've always been the person that has to prove things to myself.
“I always found it hard to believe I'd be able to win a race in Formula 1 until I won a race in Formula 1. I always found it hard to believe I could have what it takes to win a World Championship until I won a World Championship.
“Now it's more that deep down I have that reassurance within myself. I have confidence, and I have belief in myself.”
Lando arrives in Baku fresh from a test in Portimão, where he spent time in the MCL-HY alongside the McLaren Hypercar Team. The MCL-HY will compete in the 2027 World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Lando enjoyed the opportunity of a different challenge before returning to the MCL40.
He added: “For me, it's a chance to try something and also to learn things. Everything I do, even when I drive other cars, is always to try and learn things, understand different styles, learn from the other drivers that I met over there, and see what I can take on board to help me drive better this weekend.
"It's always a good opportunity, especially to stay within the McLaren family. It helps me learn and be more focused for doing my real job, which is Formula 1.”
