Welcome to the Azerbaijan F1 24 Track Guide!
Discover how to master the streets of Azerbaijan, home to the high-speed and unforgiving Baku City Circuit. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of each sector, corner-by-corner tips, previous pole lap benchmarks, and essential car setup advice. Famous for its long straights, tight castle section, and technical braking zones, Azerbaijan offers one of the most thrilling and unpredictable challenges on the Formula 1 calendar. Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or new to the sport, this guide will help you navigate the Azerbaijan Grand Prix circuit with confidence.
Circuit Overview
- Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
- Length: 6.003 km (3.730 miles)
- Corners: 20
- DRS Zones: 2
- Layout: A street circuit featuring long straights, tight 90-degree turns, and the narrow, technical castle section.
- Surface: Public roads with variable grip levels, requiring precise car control.
- Unique Feature: The Baku City Circuit boasts the longest flat-out section in Formula 1, making top speed crucial while balancing downforce for the twisty middle sector.
Sector 1: (Turns 1-4)
- Turn 1:
The lap begins with a hard braking zone at the end of the main straight. Brake late but don’t lock up, as it’s easy to overshoot. Clip the inside apex and let the car drift wide on exit while preparing for Turn 2. - Turn 2:
A sharp left-hander that requires a smooth throttle application on exit. Running too wide here will compromise your speed down the following DRS straight. - Turn 3:
A tricky 90-degree left turn. Brake later than you think but keep the car stable, as the outside wall is unforgiving. This is where I clipped the barrier, so be precise with your turn-in. - Turn 4:
Another 90-degree right, similar to Turn 3. Maintain a tight line and be careful with throttle application on exit to avoid rear-end instability.
Sector 2: (Turns 5-15)
- Turn 5-6:
A slow-speed left-right sequence. Avoid the inside kerbs of each of these corners as they can unsettle the car. I had a big snap of oversteer here—too much aggression will cost time. Get a good exit here to carry speed down the small straight. - Turn 7:
A deceptively tricky slow right-hander. It’s easy to lock up on entry, so be smooth on the brakes. Getting a good exit is crucial as you head into the castle section. - Turns 8-9-10-11 (Castle Section):
The most technical part of the lap. Hug the inside wall at Turn 8, and carefully thread the needle through Turns 9, 10 and 11. It’s narrow, and even a slight mistake can end your lap. - Turn 12:
A medium speed left hand corner where a smooth entry and exit are critical. Stay as close to the walls as possible without clipping them, clip the kerb and smoothly increase your throttle input. - Turns 13-14:
Build speed through the next sequence of flat out corners, smooth steering inputs are important here so you don’t scrub to much speed, clip the apex and allow the car to flow in and out of these 2 corners. - Turn 15:
A downhill braking zone into a sharp left-hander. Trail braking is key here to keep the car stable, only clip the kerb here don’t get greedy or you will unstable the car and likely understeer into the wall, exit smoothly as this leads to another fast section.
Sector 3: (Turns 16-20)
- Turn 16:
The final proper corner of the lap. A medium speed left hand corner that requires precision, clip the kerb but avoid taking to much as this will unsettle the car, don’t run wide on exit as there is a high kerb on the outside that will compromise stability and speed. Early throttle application is critical to maximize straight-line speed. Any mistakes here will hurt your lap time massively. - Turns 17-18-19-20:
This is where Baku’s unique layout comes into play. It’s a flat-out blast down the 2.2 km straight, making this the longest full-throttle section in Formula 1. Managing slipstream and DRS can make all the difference in a race. Thread your way threw the right-left-right-right sequence aiming for each apex but avoiding the walls, minimise the distance and avoid scrubbing any speed.
Full Qualifying Lap
In this section, you’ll find my full Azerbaijan F1 24 qualifying lap video, where I push the limits of precision and speed to challenge myself against real-world qualifying lap times. Experience the adrenaline rush of navigating Baku City Circuit’s most demanding corners like the unforgiving Castle Section, and the crucial final sector leading onto the longest straight in Formula 1. See how my lap stacks up against the best in F1, and witness the technical mastery required to conquer the Azerbaijan Grand Prix street circuit.
Previous Pole Lap Times at Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Here are the pole lap times for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in recent years, showcasing the exceptional speed and precision required to master the Baku City Circuit:
- 2024 Pole Lap: Charles Leclerc – 1:41.365
- 2023 Pole Lap: Charles Leclerc – 1:40.203
- 2022 Pole Lap: Charles Leclerc – 1:41.359
- 2021 Pole Lap: Charles Leclerc – 1:41.218
- 2020 Pole Lap: Cancelled Covid-19
Personal Lap Reflection
I really enjoy racing at the Baku City Circuit—the combination of long, flat-out straights and the technical nature of Sector 2 makes it a thrilling challenge. The castle section in Azerbaijan is one of the most demanding parts of the track, requiring maximum precision to ensure a competitive lap time.
During this lap, I clipped the wall at Turn 3, but luckily, it was just a light brush, so I managed to get away with no damage. The biggest moment came at the exit of Turn 6, where I had a huge snap of oversteer that cost me some time. Fortunately, the rest of the lap went smoothly, and I was able to secure pole position.
Azerbaijan demands a setup that balances top speed and agility, making it one of the trickiest circuits to prepare for. You need straight-line speed for the long DRS zones but also enough downforce to handle the tight corners in Sector 2. I found a reasonable balance, though I did struggle slightly with rear-end stability in a few key areas.
Azerbaijan F1 24 Setup
For my Azerbaijan F1 24 Grand Prix qualifying lap, I used a setup tailored for a 35% race distance with 100 AI difficulty. This setup is designed to provide high straight-line speed for the long sections of Baku City Circuit, while maintaining enough stability through the tight, technical corners in Sector 2.
It requires no mid-session adjustments like brake bias or differential changes, making it a reliable, “set it and forget it” approach. With this setup, you can focus purely on hitting your apexes, mastering the castle section, and maximizing lap time without worrying about car balance mid-race.
| Aerodynamics | Front wing | 37 |
| Rear wing | 18 | |
| Transmission | Differential on-throttle | 85% |
| Differential off-throttle | 30% | |
| Engine braking | 80% | |
| Suspension Geometry | Front camber | -3.50 |
| Rear camber | -2.20 | |
| Front toe-out | 0.00 | |
| Rear toe-in | 0.07 | |
| Suspension | Front suspension | 38 |
| Rear suspension | 3 | |
| Front anti-roll bar | 21 | |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 18 | |
| Front ride height | 25 | |
| Rear ride height | 55 | |
| Brakes | Brake pressure | 100% |
| Front brake bias | 55% | |
| Tyres | Front right tyre pressure | 23.0psi |
| Front left tyre pressure | 22.5psi | |
| Rear right tyre pressure | 22.5psi | |
| Rear left tyre pressure | 22.0psi |
Memorable Moments of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- The First Race in Baku (2016):
The 2016 Azerbaijan Grand Prix marked the debut of Formula 1 on the streets of Baku, and it didn’t disappoint with its drama. Kimi Räikkönen had a spectacular crash early in the race, and there were other incidents throughout the event. However, the standout moment was Nico Rosberg’s dominant victory, which helped him extend his lead in the championship. Despite the chaos, Rosberg maintained his composure and showed that Baku could be a challenging and exciting track, making its mark as a notable venue in the F1 calendar. - Vettel vs Hamilton (2017):
The 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix delivered one of the most dramatic moments in F1 history when Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton clashed under the Safety Car. As they prepared for the restart, Vettel believed Hamilton had brake-checked him, causing the Ferrari driver to run into the back of the Mercedes. In a moment of frustration, Vettel pulled alongside Hamilton and deliberately swiped into him, earning a 10-second stop-and-go penalty. Despite the chaos, neither driver won the race. Instead, Daniel Ricciardo claimed victory after a wild race filled with crashes, punctures, and a sensational comeback drive. This incident remains one of the most controversial moments in the history of the Baku City Circuit. - Ricciardo & Verstappen Collide (2018):
The 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw an intense intra-team battle between Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, culminating in a dramatic crash that ended both their races. The two Red Bull drivers had been fighting aggressively throughout the race, exchanging positions multiple times in a thrilling display of wheel-to-wheel racing. However, on Lap 40, Ricciardo attempted a move down the inside of Verstappen into Turn 1, but Verstappen defended aggressively, leading to a massive rear-end collision. Both cars went spinning into the runoff area, forcing Red Bull to retire both drivers from the race. The team was left furious, and while neither driver was officially blamed, it was a clear case of hard racing taken too far. The crash remains one of the most dramatic teammate collisions in recent F1 history, proving that in Baku, anything can happen. - Verstappen’s Tyre Failure (2021):
In the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen suffered a catastrophic tyre failure on Lap 47, crashing into the barriers at high speed while leading the race. The sudden left-rear tyre explosion ended his race, though he emerged unscathed. The incident raised concerns about Pirelli’s tyres and became a pivotal moment in the tightly contested 2021 championship. - Hamilton’s Braking Disaster (2021):
In the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton suffered a major braking issue after misjudging his speed into Turn 1. He went off track and had to fight to recover, dropping down the order. This mistake ultimately cost him valuable points in the championship, as he finished only 15th, a major setback in the intense title fight with Max Verstappen. Personally, I believe this race was where Hamilton lost the championship. Had he finished, most likely with a win or at least a strong podium, he would have had a crucial points advantage going into the final showdown in Abu Dhabi. That missed opportunity ended up being a turning point in the 2021 season.
Conclusion
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is a circuit that demands precision, bravery, and adaptability. From the high-speed straights to the technical challenge of Sector 2, Baku offers a unique blend of speed and skill. Conquering the tight corners of the Castle Section requires utmost focus, while finding the right balance between speed and downforce in the setup is crucial for a successful lap. As we’ve seen through the memorable moments, Baku is a track that offers plenty of drama and surprises, making it one of the most exciting races on the Formula 1 calendar. Whether you’re sim racing or watching the action unfold in real life, mastering this circuit is a thrilling challenge that will push your limits.
I put together this track guide using my trusty Fanatec GT DD Pro 8Nm racing wheel paired with the F1 Esports V2 rim, along with modded CSL pedals for that extra responsiveness. I race on the PS5, seated comfortably in my modified Playseat Challenge. To elevate my performance even further, I gear up with specialized gloves and boots that provide the perfect grip and feel. This setup has truly enhanced my control and precision on the track, making every racing session not just competitive, but incredibly enjoyable!
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