Written by Ellie Nicholls
Formula 2 returns to action this weekend at the iconic Baku street circuit. As the series leaves the European leg behind and heads into the final stages, this weekend is sure to be full of unmissable racing action- with everything still to play for in 2024.
Leading the drivers through the streets of Azerbaijan’s capital, the Baku street circuit is formed from a mixture of long straights- with two DRS zones giving drivers plenty of opportunity to overtake- and slow, technical corners that demand the highest level of focus and precision.
Drivers will be flat out for over two kilometres down the start-finish straight, before having to slow dramatically for the first corner of the race. One miscalculation or misjudgement, and drivers risk going off the track- or conceding a place to a more daring driver.
The infamous castle section is without a doubt the most iconic part of the track and has been known to catch out even the most talented drivers over the years. As the young drivers weave around the Baku Fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - they must face down the narrowest corner on the Formula 2 calendar.
As Baku is a street circuit, the narrow walls of the track will also add to the challenge this weekend. Bravery and precision will be rewarded greatly - but even the smallest mistakes will not go unpunished.
Last year it was Prema’s Oliver Bearman who reigned supreme in the streets of Baku, making his mark in the Formula 2 history book. Not only did Bearman seal his first victory in the series during the sprint race, but he also went on to win the feature race as well, having topped both free practice and qualifying too.
It was a chaotic start to the weekend in 2023, with a sprint race that saw just half of the grid reach the chequered flag amidst multiple safety car periods. Richard Verschoor started on reverse pole position, but contact with Zane Maloney going into the first corner meant both drivers were ultimately forced to retire.
After three further DNFs, the second safety car pulled into the pits with just three laps remaining - and utter chaos ensued. Six drivers failed to make the first corner, either hitting the wall or running off the track, meaning the lead fell to Prema’s Frederik Vesti.
However, mere moments before the safety car was called and the race neutralised, Oliver Bearman passed his teammate Vesti for first place, overtaking while he was still allowed to do so. With less than three full laps remaining and a massive amount of debris to clear, the race ended under the safety car and Bearman claimed the victory - his first in Formula 2.
The following day, Bearman lined up on pole position for the feature race thanks to his impressive qualifying performance, but within the first few laps he was overtaken by the fast-starting Theo Pourchaire. Having already snatched second place from Enzo Fittipaldi, the eventual 2023 Champion passed Bearman for the lead of the race on lap three.
However, after tasting victory in the sprint race, Bearman was determined not to be stuck behind Pourchaire for long, and reclaimed the lead of the race going into the first corner of the following lap.
For the remainder of the race, Bearman clung on to first place - almost colliding with the wall several times in his effort to defend from Pourchaire - but his efforts were ultimately rewarded with a second race victory in a row.
Meanwhile Pourchaire, having been unable to retake the lead from Bearman, was forced to settle for third place after also conceding second to Enzo Fittipaldi in the final stages of the race.
Formula 2 races at Baku are always filled with excitement and chaos, and this weekend certainly promises to deliver plenty of drama and racing action. With three new faces on the Formula 2 grid this weekend, it will truly be a trial of fire for the debutants around the unforgiving streets of Baku.
Christian Mansell will take to the track for the first time in Formula 2 with Trident, replacing the outgoing Stanek for the remainder of the season. Fellow rookie Luke Browning will also make the step up in the final three races of 2024, joining forces with ART after Zak O’Sullivan announced that he would not complete the rest of the season.
The last of this weekend’s rookies is Gabriele Mini, with the Italian driver set to fill in for last year’s double-winner Oliver Bearman at Prema as Bearman steps up to Formula One for Haas in place of Kevin Magnussen.
Things are also beginning to heat up at the top of the championship as this season hurtles rapidly towards its conclusion. While Isack Hadjar still leads the championship going into the weekend, his title rival Gabriel Bortoleto has been on an impressive run of form recently- most notably winning the feature race at Monza from 22nd on the grid.
Could this be the weekend that Bortoleto makes moves for the lead not only on track, but also in the championship? Or will Hadjar hold off the rapidly rising rookie and maintain his lead at the top of the standings? Make sure not to miss what is set to be an incredible weekend of Formula 2 action…
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