Max Verstappen and Red Bull took their new championship lead when they returned to the streets of Formula 1 Baku for the Azerbaijani GP this weekend.

After a one-year absence due to an epidemic, the race from the heart of the city to the edge of the Caspian Sea appears for the fifth time on the calendar.

From Sebastian Vettel’s ‘Road Fury’ of 2017, to the Red Bull Crash of 2018, to the tragedy of truck and sewage testing during F1’s final visit in 2019, there is always something to say. Some of the things to look out for in Baku are the 6km long route, which mixes the narrow and terminating turns associated with a traditional street circuit, and is a very long straight line, ideal for overtaking and wheel-to-wheel dual.

For the first time in nearly three years, Mercedes is starting a race that has not taken a lead at any of the World Championships, but they have a strong specialty in Baku, winning three of the first four visits to the F1.

Sky Sports F1 starts live coverage from Paddock F1 Show Thursday at 3pm – streaming on YouTube in the UK and Ireland – with track activity running from Friday morning.

• Qualifying and running will start at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday, respectively

Formula 2 is running for the third time this year since the start of the season, which has produced five different winners in six games.

Sky Sports F1 Azerbaijan GP TV Schedule

Thursday
3 pm: F1 Show (Sky F1 live on YouTube)
4 pm: Pilot press conference

Friday
7:20 am: F2 Training
9 am: Azerbaijan GP Practice One (Session starts at 9:30 am)
11H25: Qualifications F2
12:45 pm: Azerbaijani GP, Practice 2 (Session starts at 1 pm)

Saturday
8H15: F2 Sprint Race One
9.45am: Third training of Azerbaijani GP (session starts at 10am)
12 noon: Preparation for qualifying for Azerbaijan GP
13th: Qualifications GP d’Azerbaïdjan
14H30: F2 Sprint Race Two
4 pm: Ted’s qualification book

Sunday
9H35: F2 Feature Race
11:30 am: Grand Prix Sunday
1 pm: Grand Prix of Azerbaijan
3 pm: Checked flag
4 pm: Ted’s notebook
5 pm: Highlights of Azerbaijan GP