Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix 2017: Start Time, Drivers, TV Schedule and More

Traced around the narrow streets of Baku, the circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix poses one of the most difficult challenges on the calendar for the world's finest Formula One drivers.

Ahead of just the second race in the country, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel leads the way in the driver standings by a 12-point margin from Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, with the latter dominating in Canada last time out. Sunday's spectacle has the potential to be a key chapter in the story of the 2017 world championship.

The technical and tactical conundrums this circuit threw up in its debut in 2016—when it was dubbed the European Grand Prix—should be repeated here, making for a fascinating event. Below are the key broadcast details ahead of the big race and a preview of what will be a gripping battle.

Date: Sunday, June 25

Time: 2 p.m. (BST), 9 a.m. (ET)

TV Info: Sky Sports F1 (UK), Channel 4 (UK), NBC Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), All 4 (UK), NBC Sports App (U.S.)

Driver list in full is available on the F1 website.

Preview

Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Following on from another faultless display in Canada, Hamilton would have been in high spirits heading to Azerbaijan for this unique test.

The early signs suggest this event may be tough for the three-time world champion, though, as he came home in fifth spot in first practice and was a long way back in 10th in second practice. 

Big improvements will be needed if Hamilton, who finished in fifth after qualifying in 10th at this venue last year, is to challenge for victory, as former F1 driver Karun Chandhok told Channel 4:

"I'm definitely still in the fight for pole, but it is definitely difficult," said the defiant Mercedes man after his tough start in Azerbaijan, per Andrew Benson of BBC Sport.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

While Hamilton's struggles may be good news for Vettel and his Ferrari team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen, it's Red Bull in the strongest shape to capitalise, with Max Verstappen setting the pace in both of the early practice sessions.

The 19-year-old and his team-mate, Daniel Ricciardo, have been unable to mount a sustained challenge for race wins in 2017, with the speed of Ferrari and Mercedes simply too great. Yet in Baku, both Verstappen and Ricciardo—who was second and third in FP1 and FP2, respectively—look capable of taking pole position.

Still, the perils of a circuit so challenging caught up with Verstappen on Friday, as he crashed at the conclusion of FP2. Per the Sky Sports F1 Twitter account, it was a reminder of how costly one mistake can be in Azerbaijan:

Sports statistician Sean Kelly was disappointed to see the Red Bull driver blemish what had been an otherwise impeccable day:

The early indications are that Sunday should produce plenty of dramatic moments, as the drivers struggled to master the track.

Throughout practice, Vettel had to consistently dart down escape roads to avoid collisions, while Renault's Jolyon Palmer put his car in the wall at Turn 8 in FP2.

Another man who made a costly error was Force India's Sergio Perez. As the official F1 Twitter account shared, it's so easy to misjudge these corners:

Vettel will need to find a steadier rhythm if he is to put pressure on the Red Bulls in qualifying, although there were small signs late on Friday he was getting things together. Securing a good grid position will be so important for the German on a track where overtaking is tough.

Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Mercedes should improve over the event, and Valtteri Bottas' second-placed finish in second practice suggests they have the pace to trouble Red Bull. As of yet, Hamilton has been unable to harness this horsepower effectively or consistently.

It means the race is there for the taking for Red Bull—and for Verstappen in particular. The Dutchman showed immense promise in 2016 but has been unable to put together a top-class grand prix in 2017. If he can keep his car away from the wall on Saturday and Sunday, he has what it takes to narrowly beat his team-mate.

Prediction: 1. Verstappen, 2. Ricciardo, 3. Vettel