Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is underway on the streets of Baku, with Thursday's two practice sessions marking the first meaningful on-track action before Saturday's race — a Saturday race, not Sunday, as Baku's slot on the calendar has been adjusted to avoid a conflict with a major domestic event in the host country. For several teams, Thursday is also the first real evaluation of upgrades they have spent weeks preparing.
Audi's First Major Update Since June
Audi's upgraded R26 is on track for the first time at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The package — the German manufacturer's most significant specification change since the Austrian Grand Prix in June — focuses on chassis and aerodynamic improvements rather than the power unit, where major development is not expected until 2027. Racing director Allan McNish confirmed the new parts would arrive without disclosing their precise technical scope.
Nico Hülkenberg was measured in his expectations, saying he does not anticipate Baku to give a definitive verdict: the circuit's low-grip surface, long straight and braking-heavy layout make it difficult to isolate the gains of a purely aerodynamic package. Hülkenberg suggested Singapore and Kuala Lumpur would provide a cleaner picture. Gabriel Bortoleto, meanwhile, described the new components as "interesting" and expressed hope they would allow Audi to challenge Alpine and Racing Bulls with greater consistency. The team arrives sitting eighth in the Constructors' Championship, four points behind Haas.
McLaren's Sidepod Redesign Makes its Baku Debut
Audi were not the only team unveiling new bodywork on Thursday. McLaren arrived with substantially revised sidepods featuring a different downward ramp profile and an inlet design moved closer to the Ferrari and Mercedes approach. The change is part of a sustained development push from Woking that has been gathering pace through the second half of the season. The duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will use Thursday's running to generate correlation data before Saturday's race.
Isack Hadjar also had news to celebrate: Red Bull confirmed that the French rookie's contract has been extended through 2027. His team-mate Arvid Lindblad acknowledged the decision was "fair play," given Hadjar's performances since joining the senior team.
Russell: The Fight Continues
George Russell arrived in Baku with the most combative framing of the championship situation he has offered all season. Trailing Kimi Antonelli by 81 points — 292 to 211 — the Briton acknowledged the deficit while refusing to concede: "I'll fight for the championship while the mathematics allow it." He confirmed there will be no power-unit penalty this weekend; Mercedes is timing an inevitable engine change to coincide with a planned ADUO upgrade ahead of the United States Grand Prix. Russell's earlier retirement in Spain, though painful on race day, had the side-effect of reducing mileage and removing any penalty risk for the foreseeable future.
Antonelli cannot clinch the championship in Baku. His earliest mathematical opportunity to seal the title is Singapore, and only then if Russell fails to score across the triple-header leading up to that race. The 20-year-old Italian, who has won five of the last seven rounds, arrives on a circuit whose chaotic history — safety cars, wall contacts, unexpected retirements — gives at least theoretical hope to every driver on the grid.
What the Saturday Race Means
Baku's Saturday slot is unusual enough that several broadcasters have issued reminders about the schedule. The race starts at 13:00 local time (09:00 UTC) on Saturday 26 September, leaving Friday's FP3 and qualifying as the last preparation windows. The street circuit's combination of a 2.2-kilometre straight and sections as narrow as eight metres has historically produced unpredictable outcomes; of the last ten Baku races, eight have been won by a different constructor.
For Hülkenberg and Bortoleto, Thursday is the opening chapter in a test of whether the upgraded R26 can translate wind-tunnel improvements into actual midfield competitiveness on one of the season's most volatile circuits.