When is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix? Time, TV channel, grid, odds

Jo Harrison
Vietnam GP set to be the first of a future model for Formula 1 track designs.

Vietnam GP set to be the first of a future model for Formula 1 track designs.

The 2019 F1 season moves on to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend with Ferrari facing a desperate battle to turn their raw speed into much-needed points.

The tifosi had another weekend to forget in China as Mercedes claimed yet another 1-2 finish with reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton leading the way.

Ferrari already trail Mercedes by a whopping 57 points in the constructors’ title race with only three races completed, and perceived number one Sebastian Vettel is a worrying 31 points behind Hamilton in the drivers’ standings.

A repeat of recent events in Baku this weekend would only heighten the crisis at Maranello with the European season about to get under way.

What time does the Azerbaijan Grand Prix start?

The start times for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix are as follows:

Practice 1: Friday April 26, 1300 local time (1000 BST)

Practice 2: Friday April 26, 1700 local time (1400 BST)

Practice 3: Saturday April 27, 1400 local time (1100 BST)

Qualifying: Saturday April 27, 1700 local time (1400 BST)

Race: Sunday April 28, 1610 local time (1310 BST)

Where does the Azerbaijan Grand Prix take place?

The Baku City street circuit made its debut in Formula 1 as part of the 2016 European Grand Prix. Since then, it has been able to start creating its own legacy as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Hermann Tilke may be responsible for the route of the Baku circuit but it is the streets of the Azerbaijan capital which have given him the canvas on which to work.

With Bernie Ecclestone agreeing a deal to race in Baku, famed F1 circuit designer Tilke was called upon to set out the layout for the 6.006-kilometre anti-clockwise street circuit.

The track starts adjacent to Azadliq Square before looping around Government House and then heading west to Maiden Tower.

An extremely narrow uphill section at the old town wall has been incorporated, as well as a long, long straight at Neftchilar Avenue which sees overtakes galore with the help of DR.

The circuit is made up of 20 corners but don’t let that fool you, this is a very quick track and one that is fast becoming a modern classic on the Formula 1 calendar.

Sunday’s race will be run over 51 laps.

Where can I watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on TV?

Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend – including qualifying and the race proper – will be screened live in the UK by pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports on its dedicated Sky Sports F1 channel. Highlights will be aired by free-to-air broadcaster Channel 4.

Subscribers to F1’s own app can hear radio commentary on the race proper from the BBC and access live data around each session.

PlanetF1 will carry live timing and expert commentary on every session of the race weekend along with all the latest news from the track.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be shown live on TV by the following outlets in other key markets:

United States: ESPN (English), Univision (Spanish)

Canada: RDS (French), TSN (English)

Australia: Fox Sports

France: Canal +

Italy: Sky Sport F1

Germany: RTL

Spain: Movistar F1

What is the weather forecast for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Friday April 26: 18C, sunny.
Saturday April 27: 18C, sunny.
Sunday April 28: 18C, sunny.

Which drivers have won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

The race has only been run as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix twice – with Daniel Ricciardo taking the honours in 2017 and Lewis Hamilton scoring last year en route to yet another world title.

Recent winners:
2018 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)

Track Lap Record: 1:43.441 by Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari, 2017)

What is the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton claimed yet another front-row lockout for the Mercedes team while Ferrari had another strategic nightmare in Baku on Saturday. Grid positions are as follows:

1. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

5. Sergio Perez (Racing Point)

6. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso)

7. Lando Norris (McLaren)

8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

9. Carlos Sainz Jnr (McLaren)

10. Daniel Ricciardo ((Renault)

11. Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso)

12. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

13. Lance Stroll (Racing Point)

14. Romain Grosjean (Haas)

15. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)

16. George Russell (Williams)

17. Antonio Giovinazzi* (Alfa Romeo)

18. Robert Kubica*** (Williams)

19. Kimi Raikkonen**** (Alfa Romeo)

20. Pierre Gasly** (Red Bull)

* Giovinazzi has a 10-place grid penalty for using too many power unit elements.

** Gasly will start from the pit lane after missing weigh bridge in practice.

*** Kubica will start from the pit lane after taking on new-spec parts after qualifying.

**** Raikkonen will start from the pit lane after being excluded from qualifying for failing front wing deflection test.

What are the odds for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Lewis Hamilton is favourite for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

6/5 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

5/2 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

4/1 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

11/2 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

11/1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

(Prices correct at 1100 BST on Sunday April 28)

What are the latest F1 Championship standings?

The leaders in the race for the driver and constructor titles heading into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix are as follows:

Drivers’ Championship

Lewis Hamilton – 68 points

Valtteri Bottas – 62 points

Max Verstappen – 39 points

Sebastian Vettel – 37 points

Charles Leclerc – 36 points

Pierre Gasly – 13 points

Constructors’ Championship

Mercedes – 130 points

Ferrari – 73 points

Red Bull – 52 points

Full F1 championship standings are here

Tyre compounds for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

F1 tyre manufacturer Pirelli have introduced a new tyre naming system for the 2019 season – they now have 5 dry tyres named C1 to C5 as they get softer through the range.

In Azerbaijan in 2019 the yellow soft tyre, the red supersoft and the purple ultrasoft will be in use.