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With a race distance spanning 190.170 miles, which is approximately 306-plus kms, round #16 of F1's 2025 season takes us to the edgy and exasperating Baku, home to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.The track comprises 51 spine-bending and often times, tumultous laps. But what makes Baku different, if also frustrating and surprising in equal measure?
With a challenging, physically demanding layout that can be just as tiring and exciting, the street circuit of Azerbaijan is fast and furious for drivers who despite bagging pole not necessarily emerge as race winners. Ask Leclerc, a gifted and utterly impressive driver who despite having 4 poles here in the past, has 0 race wins at the venue. That said, let us look at the interesting stats that have gone onto heighten the excitement and fun associated with one of Central Asia's most appealing racing venues, which lest it is forgotten, debuted initially in 2016, albeit as the "European Grand Prix":
List of drivers with poles at Baku, home to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Baku’s mix of tight corners and long straights makes getting pole position really important — and Charles Leclerc has been the standout in recent years.
2024 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – Leclerc took his fourth Baku pole with another strong qualifying performance.
2023 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – In what was another great year for the Red Bull outfit, it was Leclerc at Baku who showed great control over the Ferrari, putting it on pole once again.
2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – This was the famed Monegasque's third straight pole, which showed how fast he can be over one lap.
2021 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – In just his second-ever drive at the home to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the then-youngster claimed his first Baku pole. That came after a wild qualifying session full of crashes.
2019 – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) – The noted Finnish talent Valtteri Bottas had edged out Sir Lewis Hamilton six years ago with a clean, fast lap around the streets of Baku.
List of drivers who have won the Azerbaijan GP
Races in Baku are often full of surprises, and the list of winners shows just how unpredictable this track can be:
2024 – Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – Piastri stayed calm through the chaos to take his first-ever F1 win.
2023 – Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – Known for his street circuit skills, Perez grabbed another strong win in Baku.
2022 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – Max took advantage of Ferrari’s issues and cruised to victory.
2021 – Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – A great restart and Hamilton’s mistake helped Perez take the win late in the race.
2019 – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) – Bottas held off Hamilton and drove smart to win on the tough Baku circuit.
Perez's mastery at the street course
Sergio Perez who marks a return to the Formula 1 grid next year, is the most successful driver to have raced at the venue. So how and why is that?
No other driver has actually ever won 2 races here at Baku, home to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. That man is the famed former Red Bull driver, born in Guadalajara but admired around the world for his patience, resilience and forget not, simplicty. Perez's first win here came in 2021, which was followed by another triumph in 2023. Both wins came with Max Verstappen being in the other Red Bull.
But does that alone make his effort worthy of admiration and it deserves tons of it?
Perhaps not. The reason being the Formula 1 grid comprises icons such as Fernando Alonso (currently with Aston Martin), Sir Lewis Hamilton (the sport's most successful driver, formerly with Mercedes and currently, with Ferrari) and other checkered talents such as the Smooth Operator Carlos Sainz, the dominant McLaren driver Lando Norris and the driver who currently leads the drivers' standings, Oscar Piastri.
Which has been the most iconic moment at Baku, home to the Azerbaijan GP?
The interestingly challenging and mostly action-packed Baku has seen its fair share of wild moments, but one of the most unforgettable came from Daniel Ricciardo in 2017, who was formerly a Red Bull and later, McLaren driver.
During a chaotic race, Ricciardo pulled off an epic move — overtaking three cars in one go down the main straight. Chasing Nico Hülkenberg and the two Williams cars of Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll, he used the slipstream perfectly and dived down the inside into Turn 1. It was bold, risky, and pure brilliance — and somehow, he kept it out of the wall.
Which has been the most successful Constructor at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
That record belongs to Red Bull, the Milton Keynes-based outft that has against its name four race wins here. This is the most by any F1 Constructor so far. The second best team in terms of race wins at the venue is Mercedes who have just 2 wins here.
What is Max Verstappen, the 2025 pole sitter's record like at the circuit?
A few hours ago, when the famed Dutchman Max Verstappen took another pole of his career, the 45th of his career, he did something spectacular at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. What was that? In placing his Red Bull on the front row, he bettered Charles Leclerc's pole position time that the Ferrari driver managed at this venue last year.
In comparison to Charles' 1:41:365 in 2024, Verstappen, as seen a few hours ago, clocked 1:41:117.
What remains to be seen, of course, is if he can convert his pole into a win. But having said, what's also surprising is the very fact that despite having raced at this unique venue for a decade, Verstappen's been a race winner at Baku just once.
That was in 2022 when he beat his then-teammate Sergio Perez by over 20 seconds.
FAQs
Which Constructor has won most races at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
That is Red Bull, with 2 wins thanks to Perez, one thanks to Verstappen and then, with Daniel Ricciardo's race win back in 2017 at the track.
Which is the driver with most race wins at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
Sergio 'Checo' Perez, who will make a return to the F1 grid next year (with Cadillac) is the driver with most race wins to his name here. 2 wins! Both with Red Bull.
