Baku at 10: Five storylines to watch as F1 heads to Azerbaijan
Summary
F1 celebrates a decade in Baku with a Saturday race, energy management headaches, Mercedes' final pre-upgrade outing, and Piastri's search for redemption.
Formula 1 marks 10 years of racing in Baku this weekend, hosting round 15 of the 2026 season. The Azerbaijan GP runs on Saturday, with several storylines shaping the championship's final stretch.
Why it matters:
Kimi Antonelli leads Mercedes by 81 points, but rivals are closing. Baku's unique circuit could shift momentum before Mercedes' next upgrade.
The details:
- Saturday race: Remembrance Day on Sunday moves the weekend forward. Practice Thursday, qualifying Friday, race Saturday at 3pm.
- Energy management: Baku's long straight depletes batteries quickly, making deployment crucial. Drivers must budget electrical energy between Turns 2 and 3, affecting Turn 1.
- Mercedes' final pre-upgrade race: No new parts for Baku; next major update in Malaysia. Antonelli has won the last two races but faces a final test with the current package.
- Piastri's redemption: The McLaren driver returns to the scene of his 2025 title collapse. He hasn't won since the 2025 Dutch GP and is struggling with the 2026 cars' lower downforce.
- Alonso's future: The 45-year-old stays coy on 2027 plans. Aston Martin brings its final upgrade package to Baku, hoping to get closer to the weight limit.
What's next:
Baku could reset the title narrative. If Mercedes' upgrades work in Malaysia, Antonelli's path becomes clearer; if not, Ferrari and McLaren remain in striking distance.
Original Article :https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/five-things-to-look-out-for-at-the-f1-azerbai...