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Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix returns to Baku street circuit, with a new sprint race and Red Bull in form

Max Verstappen crosses the line to win the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. (Reuters: Hamad I Mohammed, Pool)

Max Verstappen came out on top on the streets of Melbourne, extending his lead in the drivers' championship. 

After a four-week break, F1 returns this weekend for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

This weekend is the first of six sprint sessions that will be worth championship points. 

Here is everything you need to know ahead of round 4 for the 2023 F1 championship.

Where and when is the race?

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held on Sunday at 9pm AEST.

The race winds through the streets of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. 

Baku is situated on the east coast of the country, along the Caspian Sea.

Geographically, the country is divided between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

In its inaugural race in 2016, the race was officially known as the European Grand Prix.

What do I need to know about the track?

Illustration of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix circuit, around the streets of Baku. (F1)

The street circuit in Baku is a mixture of 90-degree turns and long straights. 

But just because they are tight-corners does not mean there are not overtaking opportunities. 

Drivers can go three-abreast into turn one, after flooring it down the very, very long straight. 

The slightest mistake will be punished, with the walls of the track an ever-present danger.

What happened last year?

Red Bull were dominant last season around the streets of Baku, with Max Verstappen winning by 20 seconds ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.

Mercedes finished third and fourth, with George Russell getting the better of Lewis Hamilton. 

It was a horror day for Ferrari, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz failing to finish. 

Australian Daniel Ricciardo enjoyed one of his better outings in 2022, finishing eighth and ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris. 

Porpoising, when aerodynamic forces make a car bounce along the track, was one of the major talking points after the race.

Both Mercedes cars were affected, which raised several safety concerns.

What is F1 sprint qualifying?

For the first time in 2023 there will be a sprint session during an F1 grand prix weekend.

There will be a new format from previous years, with the sprint race no longer used as a qualifying session for the grand prix. 

The sprint race will be contested over 100 kilometres (one-third of the grand prix distance), while a separate qualifying session will be shorter.

All drivers will be on medium tyres for the first qualifying session, which will last 12 minutes.

The slowest five will be eliminated before the second round, which will, again, be done on medium tyres for 10 minutes.

Then the fastest 10 drivers from that session will compete in a third round on soft tyres, lasting just eight minutes.

Championship points will be on offer for the top-eight drivers of the sprint race, with eight points to the winner down to one point for eighth place.

Fast facts

  • First Azerbaijan grand prix — 2016
  • Number of laps — 51
  • Lap distance — 6.003km
  • Race distance — 306.049 km
  • Fastest lap — 1:43.009 Charles Leclerc (2019)
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