Azerbaijan GP weather: Dry weekend, but Friday winds pose qualifying test

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is set to be dry, but Friday's qualifying could be a handful as strong winds are forecast in Baku. The race weekend runs Thursday to Saturday this year, meaning less setup time before the action starts.

Why it matters:

Baku City Circuit is one of the most demanding street tracks on the calendar, with narrow walls and heavy braking zones. A dry weekend is good news, but Friday's gusts could make car balance unpredictable, especially in the castle section. With limited setup time, any wind-induced surprises could shuffle the grid.

The details:

• Thursday (FP1, FP2): Sunny, 0% rain chance, light wind, 26–27°C. Track temperature should rise for FP2.
• Friday (FP3, Qualifying): Dry but windy. Southerly gusts top 40 mph in the morning, easing to 30 mph for FP3. Air temperature drops to 23°C.
• Saturday (Race): Wind calmer at 15 mph, sunny, 24°C. The race should run in stable weather.

The big picture:

Baku has never seen a wet race, and the forecast suggests that streak will continue. But wind has been a lurking variable, and with the title fight heating up, even a gusty qualifying session could have championship implications.

What's next:

Action begins Thursday with FP1 and FP2, qualifying on Friday, and the race on Saturday. All eyes will be on the wind flags.