AZERBAIJAN
FORMULA 1
From a speculative street race in 2012 to one of Formula 1's most chaotic and beloved venues. The complete story of how Baku became a permanent fixture on the world's greatest motorsport stage.
THE FULL TIMELINE
A non-championship street race proved Baku's walls and boulevards could handle motorsport. Bernie Ecclestone takes notice.
The FIA GT World Championship finale is held in Baku. Ecclestone begins serious negotiations with the Azerbaijani government.
A five-year binding contract between Formula 1 and Azerbaijan is signed. Hermann Tilke begins designing the street circuit. First images released in October.
The debut F1 race in Azerbaijan. Nico Rosberg wins from pole. Bottas hits 378 km/h in qualifying — an all-time F1 speed record. Hamilton crashes in the castle section. The last European GP in F1 history.
The race is renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Daniel Ricciardo wins after three safety car periods and a red flag. Sebastian Vettel collides with Hamilton under the safety car — one of F1's most controversial moments.
Ocon and Sirotkin collide on the opening lap, triggering an immediate safety car. Lewis Hamilton benefits from the chaos to win. A late restart sees Vettel spin away a strong result.
Leclerc clips the castle wall in Q3, shouting "I am stupid" over team radio. Bottas wins — and sets the still-standing lap record of 1:43.009. Robert Kubica also crashes in qualifying.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The only year Baku goes without a race.
Lance Stroll's left-rear tyre explodes at 300+ km/h. Then Verstappen, leading by a huge margin on lap 46, suffers an identical blowout. Red flag. Pérez wins. One of the most dramatic races in modern F1 history.
Verstappen leads from pole and wins without drama — a rarity in Baku. Pérez and Sainz complete the podium.
Pérez takes his second Baku victory, cementing the circuit as his favourite. Nyck de Vries hits a wall and stops, triggering a safety car that disrupts Verstappen's strategy.
Oscar Piastri takes McLaren's first Baku win. A late-race collision between Sainz and Pérez creates a "war zone" of debris on track. The race ends under Virtual Safety Car.
Qualifying sets an all-time F1 record with 6 red flags. Piastri, Leclerc, Hülkenberg, Gasly, Colapinto and Albon all crash. Verstappen then wins the race from pole, leading every lap.
THE DRAMA
NEVER STOPS
A 57% safety car probability. Tyre explosions at 300+ km/h. Six qualifying red flags in one session. Cars embedded in ancient stone walls. Baku doesn't just host Formula 1 — it breaks it.
ALL WINNERS
Constructor Record
Driver Record
Circuit Record
FAQ SYSTEM
HISTORY // v2025When did Formula 1 first race in Azerbaijan?
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Formula 1 first raced in Azerbaijan in June 2016, with the inaugural European Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit. The event was renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 2017 onwards. Prior to 2016, Baku hosted the non-championship Baku City Challenge (2012) and the FIA GT Series finale (2013), which served as a showcase for the city's motorsport potential.
Which team has won the most at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
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Red Bull Racing has the most wins at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with 5 victories across the 9 races held (2016–2025). Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez each have 2 wins, and Daniel Ricciardo won the inaugural 2017 Azerbaijan GP.
Why is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix famous for drama?
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The Baku City Circuit has a 57% safety car probability — one of the highest in F1. Notable moments include Verstappen's lap-46 tyre blowout while leading in 2021, Leclerc crashing in the castle section with "I am stupid" on team radio in 2019, and 2025 qualifying setting an F1 record of 6 red flags in a single session.
Is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix staying on the F1 calendar?
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Yes. The Baku City Circuit has a confirmed contract to host Formula 1 until at least 2030. The 2026 race is scheduled for September 24–26.
Be There for
History
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