Baku resurfaces Turn 7 overnight after F1 driver complaints

Emergency work was completed before Azerbaijan GP FP3 after Thursday’s intense heat damaged the track surface at one of Baku’s most demanding braking zones

News Summary

Turn 7 was partially resurfaced overnight following complaints from F1 drivers
High track temperatures caused the asphalt’s upper layer to deteriorate during Thursday practice
The intervention could alter braking references and grip before Azerbaijan GP qualifying

Baku City Circuit carried out emergency resurfacing work at Turn 7 overnight following complaints from Formula 1 drivers after Thursday’s two practice sessions for the Azerbaijan GP.

The upper layer of asphalt began to deteriorate under the intense heat, prompting drivers to raise concerns during the briefing held after FP2. Track temperatures approached 50°C during the opening day.

The affected section was removed and replaced before FP3 on Friday morning. Turn 7 is a slow, 90-degree left-hander that immediately precedes the narrow climb towards Baku’s castle section.

Dutch outlet F1Head also reported that the corner had been repaired overnight, while other European publications described the intervention as a direct response to feedback presented by the drivers.

Emergency work differs from planned Baku resurfacing

The Turn 7 intervention was not part of the resurfacing work announced before the Azerbaijan GP weekend.

Pirelli had already confirmed that sections of the city streets around Turns 2, 3 and 4 had received new asphalt. The tyre supplier expected those limited changes to have little influence on tyre behaviour, although the street circuit would begin the weekend with relatively low grip.

Turn 7 only became a concern after the opening practice day. The heat and repeated running reportedly caused the surface to break apart, making an overnight repair necessary before the decisive Friday sessions.

That distinction is significant: teams had already prepared for the planned resurfacing, but the new surface at Turn 7 introduced an additional variable only hours before qualifying.

F1 2026, AZERBAIJÃO, TREINOS LIVRES, ASTON MARTIN, FERNANDO ALONSO — Baku completes emergency resurfacing before Azerbaijan GP qualifying (Photo: Aston Martin)

How could the new asphalt affect F1 qualifying?

Drivers must now reassess the braking point, grip level and condition of the surface at Turn 7. Fresh asphalt can provide a different level of grip from the surrounding track and may also change as more rubber is deposited during FP3.

The corner requires heavy braking at the end of a short acceleration zone. Locking a front tyre or running slightly wide can compromise the approach to the castle section, where the circuit narrows considerably and offers almost no margin for error.

The change adds another element to a weekend already complicated by strong winds and significant performance differences between the leading teams. Mercedes led both Thursday practice sessions, while McLaren and several midfield teams struggled to extract consistent grip.

FP3 provides the only opportunity for drivers to evaluate the repaired surface before Azerbaijan GP qualifying.

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F1 today: FAQ

What time does the 2026 Azerbaijan GP start?

The race starts on Saturday, September 26, at 12:00 UK time. It begins at 07:00 ET and 04:00 PT in the US, 16:30 in India and 21:00 AEST in eastern Australia.

Who starts on pole for the Azerbaijan GP?

George Russell starts from pole for Mercedes, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. Isack Hadjar qualified fourth, followed by Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.

Why is the Azerbaijan GP being held on Saturday?

The race was moved to Saturday because Sunday, September 27, is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, a national day of mourning. The entire F1 weekend was brought forward by one day.