After a month's break, Formula One finally returns as it heads to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. A Sprint format weekend, here's all you need to know and how to watch the Baku GP.
Image credit: BWT Alpine F1 Team on Newspress
After a dramatic visit down under, Formula One has been away from our screens for four weeks now. Plenty of motorsport and simracing in the mean time has kept us busy, but racing fans will finally get to watch Grand Prix cars battling it out once again.
The paddock embarks on its mid-season European leg, beginning with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ironically closer to Asia than Europe, the race takes place on the challenging, technical and extremely fast Baku Street Circuit. With its succession of 90-degree turns and seemingly endless straights, the venue is unique on the Formula One calendar.
But with changes to the format, it's not just the track layout that's set to provide excitement.
Over the past week or so since the format's announcement, F1 fans and pundits alike have been left confused by the weekend's schedule. But fans of other forms of motor racing will certainly manage to get their heads around it. This is how the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint weekend will go down.
In simple terms, the new F1 Sprint weekend format is a two-race weekend with each race getting its own qualifying session. The result being that the teams and drivers have just the one Free Practice session over the weekend.
On Friday, drivers complete their sole hour-long practice session before heading in to a standard three-session qualifying hour. This sets the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix. Saturday is all about the Sprint race as drivers take part in a shorter qualifying competition in the morning which sets the grid for the afternoon's Sprint race. Sunday is left untouched by the Sprint weekend changes meaning it's business as usual.
The positive of this format means drivers won't be risking a poor starting position in the Grand Prix by making moves in the Sprint. However, with single point differences between each position, many claim there's no reason to go for an overtake in this 100-kilometre dash. Furthermore, it will surely give an idea of each driver's race pace for the Grand Prix, somewhat spoiling Sunday's results.
Further back and it's the same story. The likes of Alpine have shown pace so far this year to edge away from the midfield, but McLaren are reportedly bringing sizeable updates to its car for Baku. These upgrades could well allow the Papaya team to catch the French squad, once again bridging the midfield's gap to fifth place in the Constructor's fight.
Williams, Haas, Alpha Tauri and Alfa Romeo all look inseparable. With its long straight and stop-start first sector, the Azerbaijan street circuit is different to most venues on the Formula One calendar. So chances are we could see some surprise results this weekend. That's even without counting on the traditional carnage that typically takes place in Baku.
Make sure to catch all of the action starting with FP1 and qualifying today. Check these dates and times, all in CET.
Friday:
Are you a fan of the Sprint weekend format? Who do you think will come out on top in Baku?
Image credit: BWT Alpine F1 Team on Newspress
After a dramatic visit down under, Formula One has been away from our screens for four weeks now. Plenty of motorsport and simracing in the mean time has kept us busy, but racing fans will finally get to watch Grand Prix cars battling it out once again.
The paddock embarks on its mid-season European leg, beginning with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ironically closer to Asia than Europe, the race takes place on the challenging, technical and extremely fast Baku Street Circuit. With its succession of 90-degree turns and seemingly endless straights, the venue is unique on the Formula One calendar.
But with changes to the format, it's not just the track layout that's set to provide excitement.
Baku Sprint format explained
Baku is the first time Formula One in 2023 sees the Sprint format return. However, in contrast to previous seasons, the weekend will see a dramatically different format in an attempt to spice up the weekend further.Over the past week or so since the format's announcement, F1 fans and pundits alike have been left confused by the weekend's schedule. But fans of other forms of motor racing will certainly manage to get their heads around it. This is how the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint weekend will go down.
In simple terms, the new F1 Sprint weekend format is a two-race weekend with each race getting its own qualifying session. The result being that the teams and drivers have just the one Free Practice session over the weekend.
On Friday, drivers complete their sole hour-long practice session before heading in to a standard three-session qualifying hour. This sets the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix. Saturday is all about the Sprint race as drivers take part in a shorter qualifying competition in the morning which sets the grid for the afternoon's Sprint race. Sunday is left untouched by the Sprint weekend changes meaning it's business as usual.
The positive of this format means drivers won't be risking a poor starting position in the Grand Prix by making moves in the Sprint. However, with single point differences between each position, many claim there's no reason to go for an overtake in this 100-kilometre dash. Furthermore, it will surely give an idea of each driver's race pace for the Grand Prix, somewhat spoiling Sunday's results.
Who's on form?
As ever in 2023, Red Bull look to be the team to beat with a rested and refreshed Max Verstappen set to lead the pack. With a month to work on the cars however, it's difficult to predict who will come out on top in the fight for best of the rest. Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin all looked close in the first three races this year. So picking them apart on a totally different track is going to be tricky.Further back and it's the same story. The likes of Alpine have shown pace so far this year to edge away from the midfield, but McLaren are reportedly bringing sizeable updates to its car for Baku. These upgrades could well allow the Papaya team to catch the French squad, once again bridging the midfield's gap to fifth place in the Constructor's fight.
Williams, Haas, Alpha Tauri and Alfa Romeo all look inseparable. With its long straight and stop-start first sector, the Azerbaijan street circuit is different to most venues on the Formula One calendar. So chances are we could see some surprise results this weekend. That's even without counting on the traditional carnage that typically takes place in Baku.
How to watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Depending on your geographical location, the 2023 Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix is available to stream live on F1 TV. In the UK however, it will be available on Sky Sports F1 with highlights on Channel 4.Make sure to catch all of the action starting with FP1 and qualifying today. Check these dates and times, all in CET.
Friday:
- Free Practice 1: 11:30
- Qualifying: 15:00
- Sprint Shootout (qualifying): 10:30
- Sprint Race: 15:30
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix: 13:00
Are you a fan of the Sprint weekend format? Who do you think will come out on top in Baku?
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