Baku braces for Saturday Azerbaijan GP as Antonelli eyes title

Formula 1 returns to one of its most unpredictable venues this weekend, as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix runs on Saturday at Baku City Circuit. The 6.003km street track combines tight Old City sections with heavy braking and one of the longest flat-out stretches on the calendar, and this year's race is moved from Sunday to avoid the nation's Remembrance Day.

Why it matters:

The championship battle gives this weekend extra weight. Kimi Antonelli arrives with an 81-point lead over teammate George Russell after winning eight races, while Oscar Piastri returns to the scene of his last victory – more than 12 months ago. Ferrari still seeks a first Baku win despite Charles Leclerc's four consecutive poles between 2021 and 2024.

The details:

• Red Bull and Mercedes have won every Baku race except 2024, when Piastri triumphed for McLaren.
• Russell has three podiums in four Baku appearances for Mercedes and needs a strong result to cut into Antonelli's lead.
• The race starts at 21:00 AEST on Saturday, September 26, with Practice 1 and 2 on Thursday and Practice 3 and Qualifying on Friday.
• Weather is expected to be mostly dry and breezy, with temperatures around 24-29°C.
• In Australia, the event airs live on Fox Sports 506 and Kayo Sports; in New Zealand, Sky Sport covers it.

What's next:

Baku's mix of long straights, slow corners and unforgiving walls has repeatedly produced drama, with safety cars and strategy swings often deciding outcomes. With Antonelli chasing a dominant title run, Russell fighting to stay in contention, Piastri hoping to reignite his season and Ferrari desperate to break its Baku duck, this weekend has all the ingredients for another chaotic race.