Qualifying Start Times For The Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a highly anticipated event in the Formula 1 racing calendar, with the 2024 edition marking the 17th race of the season. The qualifying session for this prestigious race commenced at 4:00 p.m. local time (AST) on Saturday, September 14, at the Baku City Circuit. With a challenging track that offers limited overtaking opportunities, a successful qualifying session is crucial for drivers aiming to secure a favourable position for the main race.

Qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP starts at 4 pm local time

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a highly anticipated event in the Formula 1 racing calendar. This year, the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan GP will start at 4 pm local time on Saturday, the 14th of September 2024. The race itself is set to take place on Sunday, marking the 17th race of the Formula 1 season.

The Baku City Circuit, known for its unpredictable finishes, will host the qualifying session and the race. The circuit is a lightning-fast street circuit, with only a long straight providing overtaking opportunities. This makes the qualifying session all the more crucial for the drivers, as overtaking will be challenging during the race.

For viewers in different parts of the world, the start time for qualifying translates to the following:

2 pm Central European Time

1 pm United Kingdom (BST)

8 am United States (EDT)

7 am United States (CDT)

5 am United States (PDT)

10 pm Australia (AEST)

8 pm Australia (AWST)

9:30 pm Australia (ACST)

6 am Mexico (CST)

9 pm Japan (JST)

2 pm South Africa (SAST)

3 pm Egypt (EEST)

8 pm China (CST)

5:30 pm India (IST)

9 am Brazil

8 pm Singapore

3 pm Saudi Arabia

4 pm United Arab Emirates

3 pm Turkey

The qualifying session will be broadcast live and is available for streaming in many countries. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports and Channel 4 will broadcast the session, while live streaming is available through NOW. In the United States, ESPN and ESPN+ will bring live coverage, and Fubo offers streaming with a free trial for new subscribers.

With the race just around the corner, excitement is building to see who will take pole position and ultimately claim victory in the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Baku City Circuit has seen unpredictable finishes

The Baku City Circuit has seen some unpredictable finishes over the years, earning its reputation as one of the most thrilling and unpredictable tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. The circuit, located in the heart of Baku, Azerbaijan, is renowned for its unique characteristics and challenging nature, blending high-speed straights with tight, technical sections.

The first F1 race at the Baku City Circuit was held in 2016 as the European Grand Prix, and since then, it has produced six different winners in six races, with dramatic finishes and unexpected outcomes. The track's long straights, such as the lengthy section between Turns 2 and 3, provide excellent opportunities for overtaking manoeuvres, contributing to the excitement and competitiveness of the races.

One of the most defining features of the Baku circuit is the Castle Complex, a twisty section that winds through the ancient defensive walls of the city. This area is notorious for its narrow corners, requiring precision and skill from drivers, and often being a site of collisions and dramatic incidents. The circuit's abrasive surface and high-speed sections also place significant stress on tyres, making tyre management a critical aspect of the race strategy.

The unpredictable nature of the Baku City Circuit was evident in the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which saw multiple incidents, including a collision between two major drivers, and an unexpected victory by Daniel Ricciardo, who charged from 10th place on the grid. Similarly, in 2018, a crash between teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo ended Ricciardo's race early and played a part in his decision to leave the team.

The Baku City Circuit continues to be a highlight of the F1 season, offering a unique and challenging racing environment that consistently delivers exciting and unpredictable outcomes, keeping fans and drivers on the edge of their seats.

The qualifying session in Baku kicks off after the final practice run

The qualifying session for the 2024 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place on Saturday, September 14, at the Baku City Circuit. The qualifying session in Baku kicks off at 4 pm local time (+4 GMT), a few hours after the final practice run.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the 17th race of the Formula 1 season. The Baku City Circuit has witnessed some unpredictable finishes over the past decade, so fans can expect another thrilling and competitive race.

Overtaking is challenging on the lightning-fast street circuit in Baku, with only the long straight providing overtaking opportunities. This makes the qualifying session crucial for the drivers, as a good starting position can be vital for the race.

For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports and Channel 4 will be broadcasting the qualifying session live, with coverage starting at 12:15 pm BST on Sky Sports F1 and 1 pm BST on Sky Sports Main Event. Channel 4 will also be showing highlights of the qualifying session at 7:30 pm BST on Saturday evening.

The qualifying session is crucial as overtaking is challenging on the street circuit

The qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to start at 4 pm local time (1 pm BST) on Saturday, 14 September 2024, at the Baku City Circuit. This session is crucial as the circuit's nature makes overtaking challenging during the race.

Overtaking is a manoeuvre that describes a vehicle passing another road user, such as a slow-moving vehicle, a cyclist, or even a pedestrian. When it comes to street circuits, overtaking can be particularly tricky due to the confined nature of the track, with tight corners and limited straight sections. This is especially true for the Baku City Circuit, which has a reputation for unpredictable finishes.

To safely and successfully overtake on a street circuit, drivers must master specific techniques. Firstly, they need to ensure they have a clear line of vision and sufficient space ahead, allowing them to speed up, pass, and then safely move back in front of the overtaken car. This can be challenging on street circuits with their narrow confines and limited overtaking opportunities. Drivers also need to be mindful of other drivers attempting to overtake them, especially on straight sections of the track where speeds are higher.

Additionally, street circuits often present unique challenges, such as navigating past parked cars or other obstructions, requiring drivers to give way to oncoming traffic before making their move. The performance of the vehicle and the driver's skill also come into play when attempting to overtake on a street circuit. All these factors combined make qualifying positions even more critical, as starting further ahead can significantly impact a driver's chances of winning.

With the complexities of overtaking on the Baku City Circuit, the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix becomes a crucial factor in determining the race outcome.

Live radio coverage of qualifying is available on BBC Radio 5 Live

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the 17th race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, taking place at the Baku City Circuit. The qualifying session for the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place on Saturday, 14 September 2024, at 4:00 pm local time (1:00 pm BST).

The qualifying session is crucial for drivers as the Baku circuit is known for its challenging overtaking conditions. Only the long straight provides overtaking opportunities, so a good qualifying position is essential for the race.

For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event will broadcast the qualifying session, with coverage starting at 12:15 pm BST and 1:00 pm BST, respectively. Channel 4 will also broadcast a 90-minute highlights programme of the qualifying session at 7:30 pm BST on Saturday evening.

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