The numbers that matter most ahead of this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Staged for the first time as the European Grand Prix in 2016, the (from 2017 onwards) Azerbaijan GP has cemented itself on the Formula 1 calendar as a track teams and drivers should not take lightly.

Offering a mixture of challenges that need to be overcome throughout the race weekend, the street circuit in Baku always manages to conjure something unexpected and spring a surprise when you least expect it.

With its 20 corners, many of which are at 90-degrees, drivers are forced to keep their wits about them as they navigate through the narrow streets that could bring about an end to any one session.

Here's what you should know about this weekend's Azerbaijan GP.

The facts

Since its first running in 2016, five drivers have stood on the top step of the podium, and five managed to secure pole position. A driver is yet to secure his second pole or win in Baku. 

Running over 51 laps for a total race distance of 306.049km, the 6.003km circuit is not for the fainthearted. The first two sections are extremely technical, much like Monaco, while the third is very fast - like Monza - and can drivers reach speeds up to 350km/h. Driving his Ferrari, Charles Leclerc set the outright lap record around the streets of Baku in 2019 when he posted a 1:43.009.

Azerbaijan joins other street circuits like Monaco, Singapore, and Miami on the F1 calendar, but the slightest error can cause the most considerable disruption. In 2021, qualifying was red-flagged (stopped) four times after drivers rammed into the barriers at Turn 15. The stoppages equalled Hungary 2016 as the greatest number of times qualifying has been brought to a halt.

Since stepping into its own in 2017, Valtteri Bottas has led the most number of kilometres around Baku (294km) - about 49