2019 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- What: race No.4 on the F1 2019 calendar
- When: 26-28 April 2019
- Where: Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan
- Race start time: 1.10pm on Sunday 28 April
- TV channels: live on Sky Sports F1 and highlights on Channel 4
Lewis Hamilton heads to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in top spot of the 2019 drivers’ standings but the Mercedes ace feels that he must improve his performance in Baku this weekend.
After a second-placed finish in Australia and victories in Bahrain and China Hamilton leads the drivers’ championship with 68 points. His Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas is second on 62 points.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of Sunday’s race at the Baku City Circuit the British five-time world champion said: “It’s a really great track and it’s one that I’ve honestly struggled at a little bit, particularly last year.
“It will be interesting, and I’m going there with a mindset that I’ve got to try and improve my previous years’ performance.
“I was fortunate to get the win there last year but I wasn’t quick enough really through the weekend. So that’s a place I expect Valtteri to be quick and I expect the Ferraris to be particularly quick.”
Upgrades for Ferrari in Baku
With Mercedes achieving three 1-2s in the three opening races of 2019 Ferrari are 57 points behind the champions in the constructors’ standings.
In response to their disappointing start to the campaign the Scuderia have confirmed that the SF90 car will feature some updates this weekend.
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto told F1.com: “We are bringing a few updates to Baku, as the first step in the development of the SF90.
“Coming off the back of three races that definitely didn’t go the way we wanted, this GP is another important moment for us.”
2019 F1 Azerbaijan GP race guide
- Circuit: Baku City Circuit
- First grand prix: 2016
- Number of laps: 51
- Circuit length: 6.003km
- Race distance: 306.049km
- Lap record: 1:43.441 by Sebastian Vettel in 2017
- 2018 podium: 1st Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 2nd Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari); 3rd Sergio Pérez (Force India)
When are the practice sessions?
There are three full practice (FP) sessions in Baku. On Friday 26 April FP1 takes place at 10am and FP2 is at 2pm. FP3 will be at 11am on Saturday 27 April. All times UK.
When is qualifying?
Qualifying for the F1 Azerbaijan GP starts at 2pm on Saturday 27 April.
What time does the race start?
The 2019 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix starts at 1.10pm (UK time) on Sunday 28 April.
Azerbaijan GP predictions
Matthew Atkinson, The Stats Zone – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “Baku really should suit the Ferrari, with long straights and very low speed corners. They look the team to beat, but then most commentators said the same heading into China. For the good of the sport, we need to see Ferrari winning races, as Mercedes are already running away with it. The downforce advantage of Mercedes should be significantly reduced in Baku, therefore, the prediction is for Charles Leclerc to win, but as with China, it is very possible Lewis Hamilton, in a slower car, somehow manages to pull off another unlikely win or that Ferrari continues to throw it away.”
Anish Vishwakoti, Sportskeeda – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes): “Currently second in the world title race, Valtteri Bottas had a blistering outing in Australia but didn’t show the same pizzazz in Bahrain and China. With the pressure on to get ahead of his team-mate, and the memory of the win that was almost his in Baku last year, we see the Finn taking the opportunity in the chaos to get ahead of the rest of the top team drivers.”
Azerbaijan GP betting odds
Prices according to Oddschecker, as of 24 April.
Azerbaijan GP race winner odds
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): 15/8
- Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari): 11/4
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 7/2
- Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes): 9/2
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 22/1
- Pierre Gasly (Red Bull): 100/1
- Daniel Ricciardo (Renault): 750/1
- Sergio Perez (Racing Point): 750/1
Azerbaijan GP TV guide
Sky Sports F1 will show live coverage of practice, qualifying and the GP from Baku. Channel 4 will show highlights of qualifying and the race. All times UK.
Watch on Now TV
F1 fans can also watch the action live on Now TV. Viewers can subscribe to a Sky Sports F1 season ticket via Now TV for all race weekends in 2019. A one-off payment costs £195 – the equivalent of £5 per week.
Sky Sports F1 coverage of the Azerbaijan GP
Thursday 25 April
- 2pm: Drivers’ Press Conference live – Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo), Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Lance Stroll (Racing Point), Nico Hulkenberg (Renault), George Russell (Williams)
- 4pm: Welcome to the Weekend live
Friday 26 April
- 9.45am: practice one build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
- 10am: practice one live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
- 1.45pm: practice two build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
- 2pm: practice two live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
- 4pm: Azerbaijan GP: story so far live
Saturday 27 April
- 10.45am: practice three build-up
- 11am: practice three live
- 12.10pm: Paddock Walkabout live
- 1pm: Azerbaijan GP qualifying build-up
- 2pm: Azerbaijan GP qualifying live
- 3.45pm: The F1 Show live (also shown on Sky One at 10am on Sunday)
Sunday 28 April
- 11.30am: Azerbaijan GP Pit Lane live
- 12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP On The Grid live
- 1.10pm: 2019 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix live
- 3pm: Azerbaijan GP paddock live
- 4pm: Azerbaijan GP: The Notebook live
- 4.30pm: Azerbaijan GP full race replay
Channel 4 coverage of the Azerbaijan GP
- Saturday 27 April: 6.30pm-8pm qualifying highlights
- Sunday 28 April: 7pm-9pm race highlights
Circuit graphic: Formula1.com
