At 6.003km, the track is the fourth-longest on the 2026 schedule. Only Jeddah, Spa-Francorchamps, and Las Vegas are longer.
Drivers will be kept busier on the steering wheel than at any other location this season, as no layout requires more gear changes to complete a lap than Baku.
The long run out of the final corner to the first left-hand turn in the longest full-throttle section of the entire year, 200m longer than La Source to Les Combes at Spa.
There is not much time to settle into a rhythm after the lights go out either, with the 89.5m run from pole position to the first-braking zone of the lap the shortest of the entire season.
The 2.2 km start/finish straight contributes to a difficult restart for the leader, with a strong tow for the driver behind leaving them vulnerable into Turn 1.
No circuit quite epitomises the phrase ‘no margin for error’ quite like Baku.
The infamous Turn 8 through the Castle section of the lap contains the narrowest corner on the whole calendar at just 7.6m (24.9 feet) wide.
Not Like Other Street Tracks
"Baku is a unique challenge. With its long straights, energy management is always a key factor, but it also offers some of the best overtaking opportunities on the calendar," says Test and Reserve Driver Fred. "To be quick here, you need to use every centimetre of the circuit and commit to getting close to the walls.
"From a driver's perspective, taking those risks can be very rewarding, especially through Sector 2 where the corners are extremely tight and the barriers are always within touching distance.
"If you can carry speed through that section, it can make a significant difference over a qualifying lap. The downside is that even the smallest mistake usually results in damage and can easily bring a session to an end.
"It's a fantastic circuit and one of the highlights of the season. Despite being a street track, it produces great racing and plenty of overtaking, which always makes for an exciting race and some memorable battles."
