The countdown to Formula 1’s return to Baku is well underway. From September 24–26, Azerbaijan’s capital will once again become the centre of the motorsport world as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix celebrates a decade since Formula 1 first arrived on the city’s streets.
Formula 1 made its debut in Baku in 2016, when the city hosted the European Grand Prix. What began as a new addition to the calendar quickly developed into one of the championship’s most distinctive venues. From 2017 onwards, the event has been known as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.Ten years later, Baku has built a reputation of its own.Few circuits on the calendar combine such contrasting characteristics. The track features one of Formula 1’s longest full-throttle sections, followed by tight corners through the historic Old City, where even the smallest mistake can have major consequences.That unique layout has made Baku a place where races can change in an instant.Over the years, the circuit has produced some of the championship’s most memorable moments. Nico Rosberg took the inaugural victory in 2016, before Daniel Ricciardo triumphed in a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix the following year. Lance Stroll also stunned the field by securing a surprise podium finish.Then came 2021.Max Verstappen appeared to have the race under control and was closing in on another victory when a late tyre failure sent him into the barriers. The incident transformed the closing stages of the race, with Sergio Perez ultimately taking the chequered flag.Those moments have become part of what defines Formula 1 in Baku: speed, uncertainty and the constant possibility of a dramatic twist.But the 10th anniversary is not simply about looking back.It marks the beginning of another chapter.The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place from September 24–26, with the main race scheduled for Saturday, September 26. The anniversary will also be marked by a major entertainment programme away from the track, with international stars Katy Perry and Calvin Harris among the headline performers.Yet, when the lights go out, the focus will return to the circuit.Because Baku has never been a place where the outcome can be taken for granted.The favourites may be clear. The strategies may be calculated. The pace may be controlled.But one mistake, one safety car or one perfectly timed move can change the entire race.Ten years of Formula 1 in Baku have delivered victories, heartbreak, surprises and unforgettable moments. Now the city is preparing for another chapter in that story.A decade has passed since Formula 1 first arrived on the streets of Baku.The next chapter is about to begin.
Baku is ready. Formula 1 is coming back.
