New races introduced to the F1 calendar of late have all had their own small controversies, and Baku is no different. The track itself however, looks to offer up a unique combination of challenges - intensely long straights, narrow streets, some incredibly twisting sections and a temporary road surface. It's going to be an unusual and difficult weekend for the drivers, which means we get to enjoy seeing them out of their comfort zone.

Event schedule

The momentum remains firmly with Lewis Hamilton, who secured another race victory in Canada to bring his championship challenge much closer to the current leader Nico Rosberg. Nico's post-race videos suggested the frustration is starting to get to him as well, so how they both deal with the challenge of a new venue could be an indicator of things to come.

With so many unknowns, the more experienced drivers might have the edge but the playing field is effectively levelled. Felipe Massa, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso might have more than their fair share of race starts under their belts but rookies Jolyon Palmer, Pascal Wehrlein and more will enjoy everyone having the same learning curve.

Support racing for this event includes GP2 Series.

Expected conditions

The photos we've been seeing from Baku so far show blue skies with barely a cloud in them, and conditions are expected to remain favourable across the course of the weekend. It's hot and humid, compared to the previous two events, but there's no rain on the cards despite the occasional overcast period.

Circuit history

F1's European Grand Prix usually appears on the calendar as an honorary name due to a race already taking place in the same country on a different date. That's not the case this time, and the 23rd running of the European race moves to Baku, after previously being held at Brands Hatch and Jerez, amongst others. The most recent host was the Valencia Street Circuit, which dropped off the calendar after the 2012 season.

It's a long circuit, just over 6km making it the second longest on the calendar behind Spa-Francorchamps. The road surface has been temporarily tarmaced in places, covering cobbled streets, and the track contains one long straight connecting a series of ninety degree bends with a more circular set of corners at the other end.

Tyre compounds

Drivers completing their track walks have compared the new track to Monaco and Montreal, but this weekend the choice of tyre compounds available have been moved a step harder. The ultrasoft is gone and in its place the white medium compounds are back. Drivers are, naturally, still leaning their choices towards the softer rubber though, with only one or two sets apiece of the mediums.

There are more teammates moving away from each other's choices here, as well. Mercedes have two different strategies going on, as do Williams, Sauber and Haas.

Selected tyre sets per driver

Lewis Hamilton	1	4	8
Nico Rosberg	2	3	8
Sebastian Vettel	1	5	7
Kimi Räikkönen	1	5	7
Valtteri Bottas	2	4	7
Felipe Massa	1	5	7
Daniel Ricciardo	1	4	8
Max Verstappen	1	4	8
Nico Hülkenberg	2	4	7
Sergio Pérez	2	4	7
Kevin Magnussen	1	4	8
Jolyon Palmer	1	4	8
Daniil Kvyat	1	4	8
Carlos Sainz	1	4	8
Marcus Ericsson	2	5	6
Felipe Nasr	1	6	6
Fernando Alonso	1	5	7
Jenson Button	1	5	7
Pascal Wehrlein	2	4	7
Rio Haryanto	2	4	7
Romain Grosjean	2	3	8
Esteban Gutiérrez	1	4	8

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Race stewards

The FIA stewarding process includes a former F1 driver to offer added insight. These stewards are overseeing the weekend's action.