Land of fire. Race of fury. It’s Baku
If there’s one race that sneaks up and surprises people every year, it’s Baku. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is part street circuit, part high-speed thriller, set in a city where ancient stone walls meet glass towers. It’s a race where anything can happen and often does. From chaotic crashes to unexpected podiums, Baku has built a reputation for drama, speed, and a setting unlike anywhere else on the F1 calendar.
Why the Azerbaijan Grand Prix should be on your F1 bucket listThere’s no other track on the Formula 1 calendar quite like Baku.
The Baku City Circuit is part old-world maze, part flat-out highway. It’s a street track, but not in the usual sense. Drivers fly down a 2 km straight at over 350 km/h, then slam the brakes into Turn 1. A few minutes later, they’re threading through medieval backstreets and brushing the walls at Turn 8, a narrow, uphill kink that leaves no room for error. One slip and it’s game over. 
Brushing the walls through medieval backstreets at Turn 8
Esteban Ocon calls it a favourite because it’s got a bit of everything. Long straights, heavy braking zones, and tight corners that test a driver’s nerve. That mix makes Baku one of the most unpredictable races of the year. And unpredictability is Baku’s calling card. Since the first race in 2016, chaos has been a regular guest. There have been crashes, safety cars, red flags, and shock podiums. No driver had won here twice as of 2022. That tells you something. You can be leading one minute and out of the race the next. “You can benefit a lot by keeping it clean and taking chances when they come,” said Pierre Gasly. Valtteri Bottas said it best: “Anything can happen in Baku.” 
Valtteri Bottas wins the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton second & Sebastian Vettel third
But Baku’s not just fast and furious. It’s stunning. The circuit cuts through the heart of the city, right past medieval towers and modern glass skyscrapers. You get shots of F1 cars flying by 1,000-year-old walls with the Caspian Sea shimmering in the background. It’s dramatic, both in pace and scenery. 
The Baku circuit cuts through the heart of the city
Off-track, Baku has plenty going on. The Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with landmarks like the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah’s Palace just steps away from the action. After the racing, you’ll find drivers and fans heading to Fountain Square to wind down with good food, music, and the city’s buzzing nightlife. So if you’re putting together an F1 bucket list, don’t skip Baku. It’s fast. It’s wild. And it’s one of the most unique experiences on the calendar. Where's the circuit?The Grand Prix is truly a downtown race. The circuit threads right through the heart of Baku, winding through the boulevards of modern Baku, around the ancient heart of the Old City, and along the corniche on the Caspian Sea coast.
The circuit threads right through the heart of Baku
Traveling to Azerbaijan: What you need to know
Azerbaijan Airlines runs direct flights to a few major cities in Europe and Asia, but most F1 fans will likely find more options by connecting through hubs like Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai or Doha. Once you land, the city is just a 30-minute drive from the airport.
Most visitors will need a visa to enter Azerbaijan, but the process is simple. Many nationalities can apply for an e-visa online, which usually gets approved within a few days. How many days should you spend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?We recommend spending three full days, from Friday to Sunday, at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to experience everything the event has to offer. Between F1 sessions, you'll also get to enjoy a full schedule of Formula 2.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend schedule at a glanceHere’s a quick overview of what to expect each day at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Friday is action-packed with Formula 1 practice sessions, along with qualifying sessions for the Formula 2 support series. Saturday begins with the third F1 practice session, Formula 2 races, and culminating in the thrilling Formula 1 qualifying session. Sunday features support series races, the drivers' parade, and the highlight of the weekend—the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 
Drivers' parade
Best places to stay for the Azerbaijan Grand PrixOne of the biggest perks of the Baku race is how easy it is to get around. The circuit is right in the city center, which means most teams and guests stay just minutes from the paddock. Red Bull Racing once called it “the most accessible of city races,” and it’s easy to see why. Some hotels are literally across the street from the pit lane.
This is a rare Grand Prix where you don’t need transfers. You can walk from your hotel to your grandstand in a matter of minutes. It’s one of the few races where everything is that close and convenient. Baku has plenty of hotels, but quality can vary. Sticking to well-known chains or checking recent reviews is a smart move. If you want to cut down on walking, try to book something close to your viewing area. That said, Baku is very walkable and taxis are easy to find if you need them. Best grandstands for key moments at the Azerbaijan Grand PrixThe Baku City Circuit has a bit of everything: flat-out straights, tight corners, and razor-thin margins through the Old City.
Absheron (Main) Grandstand Located at the end of the main straight, this is where you’ll catch the start, finish, and all the pre-race buzz. It overlooks the team garages and pit lane, so you’ll see engineers prepping the cars, last-minute checks, and the grid build-up before lights out. Section E is closest to Turn 1, the track’s biggest braking zone. 
Absheron (Main) Grandstand
Icheri Sheher Grandstand Set against the backdrop of Baku’s ancient city walls, this section captures the circuit’s most technical and dramatic stretch. It is extremely narrow, only about 7.6 meters wide at one point, and forces drivers to thread the needle with pinpoint accuracy. One slip and it’s race over. 
Icheri Sheher Grandstand
AzNeft Grandstand This grandstand faces a fast, sweeping left-hander where the cars dive downhill before launching onto one of the circuit’s long straights. It’s a thrilling spot with a head-on view of the cars as they brake hard and accelerate away. 
AzNeft Grandstand
Filarmoniya Grandstand Located near Philharmonic Square, this grandstand gives you a view of the final part of the downhill section and the heavy braking into Turn 16. It’s a key overtaking spot before the cars sweep through the square. 
Filarmoniya Grandstand
Mugham Grandstand Mugham Grandstand (Grandstand 7) gives fans a unique double-view of the action. You’ll see cars charging flat out toward the start/finish line directly in front of you, moving from left to right. At the same time, on the opposite side of the track, other cars will be heading in the opposite direction toward Turn 7 before diving into the historic part of the city. 
Mugham Grandstand
Other Straights The circuit’s layout is almost dumbbell shaped, with two long straights on either side. Grandstands like Giz Galasi, Mugham, Sahil, Bulvar, and Khazar are spread along these sections and offer great views of the cars at full throttle. Most grandstands are uncovered so bring sun protection or rain gear just in case.
Where next?There’s more to Azerbaijan than just the race. If you’ve come this far, it’s worth going a bit further.
Head into the Caucasus Mountains and visit the Sheki Khan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tucked away in the town of Sheki, the 18th-century palace is decorated with intricate stained glass and murals. It gives you a glimpse into life along the old Silk Road and the wealth of the merchants who once traded there. Closer to Baku, the Qobustan open-air museum takes you even further back in time. This national park is home to thousands of petroglyphs and cave carvings from the Stone Age. It’s a fascinating walk through early human history. The park is also known for its mud volcanoes. Azerbaijan has more of them than any other country in the world. If you’re flying in or out via Istanbul, Dubai, or Qatar, consider extending your trip with a stopover. These cities are packed with culture, food, and sights of their own and make for a perfect detour on your way to or from the Grand Prix. Contact us and start planning your trip |
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Rob is an experienced independent travel consultant and travel content creator.
His love for Formula One started in the 1990s, watching the greats like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Mika Hakkinen. He traveled to his first Grand Prix in 1999. It was the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Since then, Rob has traveled to over 2/3 of Grand Prix' on the current Formula One calendar. Fast forward to today, and Rob has turned his passion into a career, dedicating his time to helping others plan their dream Formula One trips. His favourite Grand Prix destinations are Austria and Austin, and when he's not attending a Formula One Grand Prix, you'll find him closer to home, walking or cycling in the Peak District National Park. |
