Formula 2 returns to Baku’s flat-out straights and unforgiving walls, where slipstreams, strategy and nerves could swing the title fight.
Baku Awaits
Formula 2 returns to the Baku City Circuit for Round 12. High speeds, tight walls, and a title fight that refuses to settle. With the championship entering its final stretch, Azerbaijan’s streets could tilt the balance when the slipstream takes over.
Fornaroli’s Run
Leonardo Fornaroli arrives still leading. The Italian rookie has held P1 since Austria and has not stopped scoring. No one else on the grid matches his streak. The margin was 17 points into Monza.
He leaves still on top, but street tracks cut margins thinner. Small mistakes mean escape roads. Bigger ones mean the wall.
Circuit Profile
- Length: 6.003 km
- Long blast from T16 to T1: around 30s flat-out
- Brake wear: high; fuel consumption: high; tyre wear: relatively low
- Overtaking: alive at T1 with DRS and tow
Records
- Lap record: 1:52.159 (Charles Leclerc, 2017)
- Speed trap: 335.0 km/h (Jüri Vips, 2022)
Tyres and Strategy
- Allocation: Supersoft (red) and Soft (yellow)
- Feature: Expect Supersoft start, pit window laps 7–9. Safety Car chaos always a risk here
- Undercut: very powerful if the track stays green
- Risks: Supersofts fall away quickly. Softs can overheat. Cooler temps may bring front graining
- Sprint: 21 laps, no stop. Pure management
Richard Verschoor is one of the few active drivers to have won here, doing it on a split strategy last season.
Weekend Schedule (Azerbaijan Time, GMT+4)
- Friday: Practice 10:00 | Qualifying 14:00
- Saturday: Sprint 14:15 (21 laps, reverse top ten)
- Sunday: Feature 11:00 (29 laps)
Title Battle
- Fornaroli (Invicta) – 174 pts: longest scoring streak, Baku asks new questions
- Browning (Hitech) – 153 pts: calm, consistent, street breakout candidate
- Verschoor (MP) – 144 pts: winner here, knows the rhythm
- Crawford (DAMS Lucas Oil) – 137 pts: needs a response after Monza
- Dunne (Rodin) – 124 pts: rookie speed, discipline under test
Behind them sit Martí and Lindblad for Campos, both strong qualifiers. PREMA’s Minì and Montoya still searching for momentum. Beganovic, Maini and Martins need results to stop the slide.
Key Numbers
- Lap length: 6.003 km
- Sprint distance: 21 laps (125.959 km)
- Feature distance: 29 laps (173.983 km)
- Lap record: 1:52.159 — Leclerc (2017)
- Speed trap: 335.0 km/h — Vips (2022)
Teams in Play
Invicta lead on 255 points. Hitech hold 223. Campos follow on 213. MP sit at 167 and DAMS Lucas Oil on 163. One big weekend changes everything.
What to Expect
Tow will define qualifying. Safety Cars usually shape the Feature. Elbows will be out in the Sprint.
For Fornaroli, it is survival mode. Verschoor knows this place. Browning senses opportunity. The pack are ready to blow the title fight open.
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