LIVE COVERAGE: First practice for the Azerbaijan GP

The first practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is now underway in Baku, with drivers taking to the streets of the Caspian city for the opening hour of running. This session marks the beginning of a race weekend that promises high drama on one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.

Why it matters:

Baku's 6.003km street circuit offers a unique mix of high-speed straights and tight, technical corners, making setup work crucial. With the 2026 regulations introducing new power units and aerodynamics, teams have limited data on how their cars behave here. The first session is essential for gathering baselines and learning the track's characteristics.

The details:

• Session format: The 60-minute practice session allows teams to test various setup configurations and tyre compounds, with drivers working through their planned run programs.
• Track conditions: Baku's hot, breezy conditions can cause track evolution to shift quickly, so teams will be mindful of managing their runs.
• Key focus: Expect teams to experiment with downforce levels, balancing straight-line speed against the slow-speed sector two.
• 2026 regulations: With the new ground-effect aerodynamics and revised power units, the midfield order could be less predictable than usual.

What's next:

Following this session, teams will analyze the data before second practice, where the focus will shift to qualifying simulations. The results of this first session will set the tone for the rest of the weekend.