After a nearly month-long hiatus, Formula 1 returns with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit. The race marks the 2023 season’s first street circuit as well as its first sprint weekend.
The 3.73-mile track In Baku is Formula 1’s fourth-longest and is known for its high speeds and tight, unforgiving layout. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is the current record holder for fastest lap time, snagging the top slot in the 2019 race.
In advance of this grand prix weekend, Formula 1 announced major changes to its sprint format. Traditionally, qualifying set the order for the sprint race and the finishing order of the sprint race set the order for the Sunday Grand Prix.
Now, qualifying will be moved to Friday, increasing interest in what has traditionally been the weekend’s most lackluster day, and will set the order for the Sunday Grand Prix.
Saturday will feature a second, shorter qualifying session dubbed a “Sprint Shootout” and will set the order for the sprint race later that day.
The Shootout is structured similarly to the typical knockout-style qualifying sessions Formula 1 fans are familiar with, but will feature shorter session times and also require drivers to use a particular tire selection for each round.
The decision to make Azerbaijan a sprint weekend caused consternation among some in the paddock, as street circuits are notoriously more expensive as the risk of damage is much higher than on a purpose-built racing track.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner fumed, “From a cost cap perspective, all you can do is trash your car, and it costs a lot of money around there,” at the announcement.
“One race is enough in Baku … a sprint race in Azerbaijan is something to be certainly wary of,” he continued.
While Horner was focused on the financial risk, Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack approached it from a more practical racing standpoint, pointing out that the risk of damage is high and with a more compact grand prix weekend there is less time to effectuate repairs.
“I’m nervous about a sprint in Baku because you just don’t have enough time to repair if you have major damage,” Krack explained.
Adding to the potential drama, Pirelli has opted to select its softest tire range for the weekend, which is well suited for fast corners and hitting the highest speeds possible on the straights. While Baku is traditionally a one-stop race, the softer tires and the high likelihood of stoppages due to accidents can see drivers making more.
Heading into the weekend, reigning Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull is heavily favored by oddsmakers to win (-280), followed by his teammate Sergio Perez (+380) and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso (+1,200).
All eyes will be on Red Bull to see if the team that dominated the first three races of the 2023 season will continue on its historic pace after the time off. On a precarious track such as Baku, and with a sprint and the new Shootout, the margin for error is great, which could create opportunities for other teams or could further reveal the extent of Red Bull’s lead over the field.