10 Years of F1 in Baku: The Moments That Made Azerbaijan Grand Prix History

10 Years, 10 Grands Prix: How Baku Has Shaped Formula 1 History Azerbaijan is preparing to host its 10th Formula 1 Grand Prix. The Baku round, which made its debut as the European Grand Prix in 2016, has produced unexpected winners, dramatic battles, remarkable records and unforgettable moments that have become part of Formula 1 history. Ahead of this milestone event, we take a look back at the most memorable moments from the first nine races at the Baku City Circuit. Baku City Circuit: One of Formula 1’s Most Challenging Street Circuits The unique characteristics of the Baku City Circuit have made the Azerbaijan Grand Prix one of the most unpredictable and entertaining races on the Formula 1 calendar. Set against the backdrop of the capital, the street circuit combines long, high-speed straights with technically demanding corners. One of its most distinctive sections runs alongside the historic walls of Baku’s Old City. At its narrowest point, between Turns 8 and 9, the track is just 7.6 metres wide, leaving drivers with virtually no margin for error. At the other end of the spectrum, the long start-finish straight allows drivers to reach very high speeds and creates strong opportunities for overtaking. This combination of tight corners, narrow sections and high-speed straights has made races in Baku particularly unpredictable. 2016: The Beginning of Formula 1 History in Baku The inaugural Baku race was held under the title of the European Grand Prix, with Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg taking victory. The German went on to secure his first Formula 1 World Championship later that season. Shortly after winning the title, Rosberg announced his retirement from professional motorsport. 2017: Chaos and a Remarkable Comeback The 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was one of the most dramatic races of the season. The controversial clash between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, several Safety Car periods and a red-flag stoppage all contributed to a race filled with unexpected twists. Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo, who had started from 10th on the grid, fought his way through the field to claim victory. Valtteri Bottas finished second, while Williams rookie Lance Stroll secured third place and the first podium of his Formula 1 career. 2018: A Late Twist Decides the Winner The 2018 race was dominated by the collision between Red Bull team-mates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. Both drivers were forced to retire following the incident. The decisive moment, however, came just a few laps before the finish. Race leader Valtteri Bottas suffered a tyre failure and was forced to retire, handing the lead to Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes driver took full advantage and crossed the finish line first to claim victory. 2019: Mercedes Takes a One-Two as Leclerc Crashes Mercedes secured a dominant one-two finish in Baku in 2019, with Valtteri Bottas taking victory ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Qualifying, meanwhile, was overshadowed by a costly mistake from Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari driver lost control at Turn 8 in the Old City section and crashed into the barriers. 2021: Two Championship Favourites Fail to Finish The 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix produced one of the most dramatic conclusions in the history of the Baku race. With just five laps remaining, race leader Max Verstappen suffered a tyre failure and was forced to retire. Following the red-flag restart, Lewis Hamilton had a golden opportunity to take the lead. However, the Mercedes driver accidentally activated the “Brake Magic” setting, shifting the brake balance towards the front wheels. As a result, Hamilton ran off the track at the first corner and lost the chance to score victory. With both championship contenders out of contention, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez took advantage to claim the win. 2022: Red Bull Secures a Historic One-Two Ferrari suffered a double blow in 2022, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both retiring because of technical problems. Max Verstappen inherited the lead and went on to secure his first victory at the Baku City Circuit. Sergio Perez finished second, giving Red Bull its first one-two finish in the history of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 2023: Sergio Perez Becomes the “King of Baku” The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix introduced a revised weekend format featuring a Sprint race. Sergio Perez enjoyed a perfect weekend in Baku, winning both the Sprint and the main Grand Prix. His second victory at the circuit further strengthened his reputation in Baku, with Formula 1 fans informally dubbing him the “King of Baku”. 2024: Piastri Wins a Dramatic Duel with Leclerc Oscar Piastri claimed victory in the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for McLaren. After overtaking Charles Leclerc for the lead, the Australian came under intense pressure but managed to defend his position all the way to the chequered flag. The closing stages of the race produced another dramatic incident. Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz collided while battling for third place, forcing both drivers to retire and bringing the race to a chaotic conclusion. 2025: Six Red Flags and a Surprise Podium Max Verstappen claimed victory in the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Red Bull Racing, leading from start to finish. George Russell finished second, while Carlos Sainz took third to secure his first podium for Williams. The most remarkable statistic of the weekend came during qualifying, which was interrupted by six red flags. The unprecedented number of stoppages set a new record in Formula 1 history. 2026: A New Chapter Awaits The 10th Azerbaijan Grand Prix is now on the horizon. From 24 to 26 September, the Baku City Circuit will once again welcome the world’s leading Formula 1 drivers, with another chapter in the history of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix set to be written and a new winner potentially added to the list of Baku triumphs.