What To Watch For: A few key talking points going into Baku

A look at some of the key storylines going into Round 12 of the FIA Formula 2 season in Baku

After a week’s break, the paddock is heading to Baku for Round 12 of this incredible 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.

It could be a critical few days in the title fight in what should be an action-packed few days in Azerbaijan, so we have picked out a few storylines to look for this weekend.

A NEW FORMAT

For the keen onlookers in Madrid, you will have noticed a new weekend format in Formula 3 – with two Qualifying sessions, one Sprint Race and two Feature Races.

Well we are going to have the same with Formula 2 in Baku, meaning that there are 67 points on offer this weekend.

It means the drivers will have a busy Thursday, with Free Practice kicking off the action. Later in the day there are two 20-minute back-to-back Qualifying sessions.

There will be an additional Qualifying session and Feature Race in Baku this weekend

Friday is just as jam-packed with a Sprint Race in the morning and the first Feature Race in the afternoon. All of this before they return for the final race on Saturday.

This will be another test for the drivers as well as their teams as it will be a busy few days. But if it goes well, with the number of points on offer, it could be very rewarding weekend.

TITLE LEAD IS CRITICAL

With so many points available, those drivers in the title fight will be eager to make sure they maximise their results to give themselves the best chance of being champion.

One of the reasons is that after Baku, there is a two-month before the final two rounds in Lusail and Yas Marina.

An interesting fact is that in the previous nine seasons of Formula 2, the driver who leads the Championship with two rounds to go has gone on to win the title.

The fight to be top at the end of the Baku weekend could be tight

Maybe it will be 10th time lucky for the chasing pack this year, but history shows that you want to be ahead at this time of the season.

With 67 points on offer, a bad weekend for any of the contenders, and a strong performance from their rivals could put them on the back foot heading into the final part of the season.

TSOLOV NEEDS A BOUNCE BACK

At one stage this season Nikola Tsolov could not be stopped. He achieved six victories in the first seven rounds but the four race weekends since have not been as smooth.

The Campos Racing driver still leads the Drivers’ Championship but since his double wins at Silverstone, he has just one podium and two DNFs.

But the inherit pace in each of those race weekends has still been quite strong for Tsolov and Campos, so they will not be too worried.

However, as previously said, the driver that wins the title tends to be the leader going into the final two rounds, so history tells us that is key for Tsolov to maintain his place at the top.

But Rafael Câmara is just seven points behind and with Gabriele Minì and Alexander Dunne having closed the gap in Madrid, Tsolov has a fight on his hands for the championship.

Duerksen has the chance to make history in Baku this weekend

DUERKSEN AIMING FOR HISTORY

There are many drivers in this championship aiming to make history of their own but maybe none are currently as close as Joshua Duerksen.

The Invicta Racing driver returns to Baku – the scene of his first F2 victory in 2024 – with desires on having the outright record for the most wins in the championship.

After Duerksen’s Feature Race victory in Monza, he tied Artem Markelov, Nyck de Vries, Richard Verschoor and Felipe Drugovich on eight wins.

A victory at the venue where it all started would be a great way to own that record, and based on his history in Baku, it is very possible.

As well as the win in 2024, Duerksen finished second in the Feature Race last season – after starting in P14.

So look out for the Paraguayan this weekend, who has already said he wants that record for himself.

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