Unlike during a regular weekend, everything happens a day earlier at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This means the first and second free practice sessions will take place on Thursday, while the Grand Prix will also be held on Saturday. This is to avoid a clash with Azeri Remembrance Day, which will take place on September 27.

Red Bull Racing and McLaren have both brought new updates to the weekend in the Azerbaijani capital, while Ferrari and Mercedes have made no changes to their cars. Red Bull Racing's updates include both performance and reliability changes to the RB17. The MCL40 features a revised sidepod inlet shape, engine cover and coke line, floor edge shape, diffuser layout, and rear suspension fairings. It also has an alternative sidepod shape and an alternative straight-line mode position. For the Baku street circuit, the car features a new louvre layout as well.

In terms of the championship standings, Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes have a firm grip on both the drivers' and the constructors' standings as well entering the weekend in Baku. The young Italian driver has a 81-point advantage ahead of his teammate George Russell.

When speaking to the media in Baku, Esteban Ocon said he is a free agent for next season. Rafael Camara is expected to be Haas' new driver, with this website previously reporting that there's a 90% chance of the Brazilian replacing Ocon. However, the deal with the Ferrari junior is not yet completely finalized.

GPblog also understands that Ocon has already been informed of the team's decision not to continue with him next year.