BAKU – The culmination of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will unfold today as the main race kicks off at 15:00 in Baku, with drivers vying for the championship title on the renowned city circuit.

According to Trend News Agency, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc leads the pack after clinching first place in the qualifying round held yesterday. Close on his heels are McLaren’s newcomer Oscar Piastri and Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz, who secured the second and third spots, respectively. The top five contenders also include Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ George Russell, setting the stage for a thrilling race day showdown.

Adding to the day’s excitement, the Formula 2 race is also slated to conclude with its final laps beginning at 11:35. Richard Verschoor, representing the Trident team, topped the timesheets in the preliminary rounds, indicating a competitive race ahead.

The Baku circuit, which has hosted Formula 1 races since 2016, stretches over 306.049 km and features 20 challenging turns and 51 laps. Initially introduced as the European Grand Prix, the event was renamed to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in subsequent editions. Noteworthy past champions include Nico Rosberg, Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and twice-winner Sergio Perez, with Perez’s latest victory occurring in 2023. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the pandemic.

In the current season, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leads the driver standings with 303 points, followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s own Charles Leclerc. The Constructors’ Championship sees Red Bull at the forefront, trailed by McLaren and Ferrari in the second and third positions respectively.