BWT Alpine Formula One Team is gearing up for the first race in a triple-header that stretches across Asia at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Baku City Circuit will host the first ‘flyaway’ race for Formula One since May, following the busy ‘Eurosummer’, and is a track which has produced fond memories for Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto. Pierre achieved a podium finish in 2021 while Franco scored his debut points in Formula One at the venue in 2024. Both drivers will be looking to achieve strong finishes once again at the iconic circuit as the team aims to continue its points-scoring run since the summer shutdown.

In the 10 years since the city’s debut event, Baku has gained a strong reputation as one of Formula One’s most exciting tracks. The long straights have always provided overtaking opportunities, with 2.2km the difference from Turn 16 to Turn 1, while the narrow ‘castle section’ presents an entirely different challenge. The minimum width of the circuit at Turn 8 measures only 7.6 metres which leaves no margin for error as the track winds past the historic Walled City. Saturday will be race day in Baku this year.

FIA Formula 2 joins Formula One in Azerbaijan with an additional Feature Race added to the calendar meaning a busy weekend for the Alpine Academy drivers. On Friday, Gabriele Mini, Kush Maini and Alex Dunne will compete in an early morning Sprint Race before regrouping ahead of the first Feature of the weekend in the afternoon. The second Feature Race will remain in its traditional slot on Grand Prix race day.

Pierre Gasly

“It’s the start of a really busy few weeks as we prepare for three tough races in a row. Baku is always an interesting challenge and it’s been a circuit I’ve always enjoyed driving. I really like the high-speed element, the twisty in street section and the racing is usually good with a number of overtaking spots. We’ll have to see what the current generation of cars bring but I am sure it will be a good challenge and hopefully we can continue our competitiveness. As a team we are performing well at the moment and it is important we continue this run going into this triple-header. While I’ve had a podium in Baku, back in 2021, it’s not been the best track for us as a team in recent years. We’ll aim for a solid, productive Thursday and target having the car in a good set-up window going into Qualifying. Hopefully we can be higher up the grid again and in a position to compete for points.”

Franco Colapinto

“I’m looking forward to returning to Baku for what we hope will be another competitive race weekend. We maximised the result in Madrid and I was really pleased to leave Europe with another strong points finish. The track in Baku is another one which is high-speed with street circuit sections, close walls, and we will be aiming to translate our performance level from Spain into this weekend. We are entering a busy period of racing in the coming weeks, so it is crucial that we make the most of all the opportunities that present themselves and Baku has historically provided lots of exciting action. We will work hard to make sure we are in the best possible position to capitalise on these moments and aim for another top-10 finish as we continue to chase our rivals in the championship.”