Argentine race driver Franco Colapinto will be back in action this weekend as Formula 1 enters the final stages of the 2025 season with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The 22-year-old racer admitted to the Alpine F1 media team that the race at the street circuit in the country capital of Baku will bring back “some happy memories.” Despite having no previous experience at the circuit, Colapinto scored his first ever points as an F1 driver there during the 2024 season, one of his best performances as a Williams driver.

“I am ready to go back to Baku,” he said. “[It’s] one of the most beautiful circuits we visit in the season [and] the tight nature of the circuit makes it one of the most enjoyable tracks to drive.”

Baku is a one-of-a-kind circuit. Most street circuits challenge drivers to finesse around the walls just inches away from track limits, but the Azerbaijani track takes it one step further. The “Castle Section,” which sees drivers go past The Walled City of Baku (a UNESCO World Heritage site), is the narrowest section of any F1 track, with only 7,6 metres. That doesn’t mean it’s a slow track by any measure, with laps starting and ending on a 2km flat-out stretch, the longest of the calendar.

“This weekend will be about setting ourselves up to be in a position to capitalize on the opportunities which are bound to arise from such a challenging circuit,” said Colapinto, who admitted “feeling good” about the car. 

“We know it will not be easy, but we will do our best and look to maximize our results for the weekend and start off the flyaway part of the season with a positive result for the team,” he added.”

Action in Baku starts on Friday, September 19, with the first practice session at 6:30 a.m. and the second at 10 a.m. Free Practise 3 greenlights on Saturday at 5:30 a.m., followed by qualifying at 9:00 a.m. The race will start on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. All times are Argentina time.

All races will be broadcast live on cable TV through Fox Sports, which is also available on most providers’ streaming platforms. Fans can also subscribe to streaming service Disney+’s Premium package, currently listed at AR$7.299 (US$ 4,90 at the official rate) per month. The series’ official broadcast, F1TV, also shows the races live, requiring the Pro package that comes at US$69.99.