How to watch 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: F1 live stream, TV schedule and start time

Following on from an action-packed weekend in Monza, Formula 1 travels to the streets of Baku this weekend for the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where frequent wheel-to-wheel action through the city streets has a history of breeding plenty of on-track chaos.

Viewers in the UK will be able to watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with FP1 marking the start of on-track activity at 10.30am on Friday, followed by qualifying on Saturday at 1pm and the Azerbaijan GP on Sunday at 12pm. Channel 4 will also be providing highlights of the weekend on terrestrial television, which race fans can watch for free.

Since making its first appearance on the F1 calendar in 2016, the ultra-high speed and unique Baku City street circuit has become renowned among race fans and drivers alike, as it blends the long straights of tracks like Monza with unforgiving twists and turns akin to the streets of Monte Carlo.

Despite having to settle for the runner-up spots in Italy due to a brilliant race-winning drive from Charles Leclerc, McLaren is expected to be the team to beat in Azerbaijan. But while it’s Lando Norris who will be in desperate need of a victory — aiming to narrow Max Verstappen‘s title advantage — could Leclerc and Ferrari spoil the party again? Or will Mercedes and Red Bull make a resurgent leap to the front?

To find out, here’s how to watch all the racing action.

 

2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix live stream and TV schedule 

All times in BST

	Qualifying Saturday 14 September	Azerbaijan GP Sunday 15 September
Session start time	1pm	12pm
Live coverage Sky Sports, Sky Go, NowTV	12.15pm	10.30am
Highlights Channel 4	7.30pm	4.30pm

 

How to watch F1: live stream and TV details for 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Each minute of every F1 session over the Azerbaijan GP weekend will be broadcast live in the UK for paying subscribers.

Live TV: All on-track sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 starting with the first free practice session of the weekend on Friday at 10.30am. Subscribers also have access to onboard streams from each of the 20 cars, including radio messages, allowing them to follow a favourite driver on their phone while watching the main feed on TV. The onboard streams are also available on TV, as is a ‘Battle Channel’ offering split-screen coverage of the best fights for position.

Live stream: Sky Sports F1 subscribers in the UK can watch all the running live on the Sky Go app. Now TV subscribers can also see live coverage of every session via the Sky Sports F1 channel. It also offers onboard views of each driver through in-app bonus streams for monthly subscribers. These can be viewed concurrently with the main stream on a separate screen.

Live timings are also available through the F1 app.

Highlights: Channel 4 will show highlights of the weekend, with action from Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s grand prix available on the corresponding day of each event.

 

Azerbaijan GP circuit and details

The 3.7-mile Baku City street circuit has posed a unique challenge to drivers and teams ever since its first appearance on the F1 calendar in 2016.

While half the circuit is composed of long DRS-enabled straights — on which cars reach and surpass 200mph — the other half is made up of tight and twisty city streets. The combination forces drivers to tap into almost every element of their racing skillset, while teams will battle to find the find a perfect balance between straight-line speed and Monaco-like downforce.

Although the 20-turn circuit boasts many possible overtaking opportunities — most commonly into Turns 1, 2 and 3 — DRS trains can form along the main straight, making it difficult for drivers to make great leaps up through the running order. But with performance among the front-runners remaining extremely close, moments of chaos could be expected. Baku has been host to its fair share already.

In 2021, a late red flag restart caused by Verstappen — who crashed from the lead after suffering a high-speed puncture — saw Lewis Hamilton dramatically lock-up at Turn 1, tumble down the order and hand victory to Sergio Perez. Three years prior, Verstappen and Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo collided while battling over fourth; Romain Grosjean crashed under the safety car; and race-leader Valtteri Bottas suffered a puncture with just three laps remaining to hand victory to Mercedes team-mate Hamilton.

Drama has been the recurring theme of the 2024 F1 season so far, and given Baku’s track-record, it could be expected to continue in Azerbaijan.

 

What’s the weather in Baku this weekend?

The forecast for the 2024 Azerbaijan GP is set to be hot and dry, with an average temperature of 27 degrees celsius across the weekend.

Friday’s free practice running will see bright sunshine and highs of 29 degrees celsius — possibly providing drivers and teams with a near-perfect setting in which to tune their cars.

Although the rest of the weekend will be cloudier, a highs of 28 degrees celsius will still be reached during both Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s 51-lap race.

2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix full session times

All times in BST

	Friday 13 September	Saturday 14 September	Sunday 15 September
F1	Free Practice 1 — 10.30am Free Practice 2 — 2pm	Free Practice 3 — 9.30am Qualifying — 1pm	Azerbaijan Grand Prix — 12pm