‘25 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Preview
It's Race Weekend in Baku, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan GP History
Formula 1 stops in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will mark the 8th running of the grand prix. The Grand Prix was added to the F1 calendar in 2017, and Daniel Ricciardo won the inaugural race with Red Bull. Red Bull holds the record for the most wins in Baku with four GP victories. Sergio Perez is the only repeat winner of the grand prix, with six different race winners in seven races. The Grand Prix is contracted on the Formula 1 calendar through 2026.
About the Circuit:
The Baku City Circuit is a 6.003 km (3.730 miles) street circuit that features twenty turns designed by Hermann Tilke. The circuit's long straights combined with tight corners surrounded by beautiful architecture through the "old city", and even a palace.
McLaren. If I were McLaren, I wouldn't be too concerned about the Italian Grand Prix. Monza is a unique circuit, and it might not be the best setup for the McLarens. Still a strong double podium, the constructors' title is nearly sealed. With eight races remaining, the driver's title is growing with anticipation. Oscar currently leads by 31 points, but it is far from over; this driver's title could come down to the wire, and there is no room for error.
Ferrari. Statistically, Baku has been a great qualifying circuit for Ferrari...Four straight poles for Charles, and both cars being in the top 5 for the last four qualifying sessions. Since the summer break, Lewis has figured out something with qualifying speeds, much closer to Leclerc than the first half of the season, within a tenth in the last two Q3 sessions. So what does that mean for Baku? If Charles has been on pole the previous four races, could we see a Ferrari front row? Lewis does have one victory in 2018, so he has history here too; this could be a good weekend for Ferrari.
Mercedes. Mercedes needs to tighten its belt if remaining second in the constructors' standings is still the goal. Ferrari has been statistically strong in Baku, and if Mercedes wants to keep this battle close, they need one of the best team weekends they have had all season. George has been consistent with seven top 5s in the last eight races; Kimi needs to step up.
Red Bull. Max Verstappen in Italy looked like 2023 Max; it was unreal, a 20-second margin of victory at Monza, the largest of the season. While this success might not translate to other circuits, Monza was an old-school Max Verstappen masterclass. As good as Max was, the second RB seat is still not producing results. Currently, 21 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' standings, without that second car scoring significant points, fourth might be the best the team can achieve with eight races left.
Williams. Albon did it again, securing a 7th place points finish in Italy, and he's found himself in seventh place in the drivers' title. Sainz still can't seem to find the groove with six straight Grand Prix without a points finish. 2024 Baku was a memorable moment for the team with a double points finish. Traditionally, this has been a good circuit for the team. I would not doubt a double points finish for the team.
Aston Martin. The momentum was building for Aston Martin with back-to-back double points finishes heading into Monza. While the outcome in Italy was far from that, with a mechanical failure for Alonso and an overall lack of pace from Stroll, it was not the weekend they wanted. Let's see if Aston Martin gets it back rolling; Lance has traditionally done very well in Baku, even scoring his first podium there in the inaugural 2017 race. Interestingly, Alonso has never not scored points in Baku, with a best finish of 4th.
VCARB. VCARB has been dialed in, with both drivers consistently finding the points. This will be a new circuit for both drivers; neither Liam nor Isaac has driven Baku in F1. Liam did have a podium during the 2022 F2 season. Let's see how the team adapts and whether the weather could play a part during the weekend.
Stake Sauber. Stake Sauber is on a roll. Gabi has four points finishes in the last six races, and he's currently the hottest driver on the team, even with Nico having a fantastic season so far. Nico suffered a mechanical issue on the out lap at Monza and did not get even to start; it could have been another double points finish for the team. Currently eighth in the constructors, only 7 points out of sixth, Stake is on a hot streak, and this season is by far over.
Haas. Baku was an interesting race in 2024, as Ollie Bearman jumped in the car after Kevin Magnussen was given a one-race ban. Ollie was able to score one point in the race after the last-minute call-up. Nico was on pace to finish in the points but caught up in the Checo and Sainz crash after catching some debris. This season has been a coin flip every weekend. Let's see if the team can find some pace and pull out a points finish. The weather may be questionable throughout the weekend so that anything can happen.
Alpine. I wouldn't set the bar too high for Alpine in Baku. It was one year ago that Franco scored his first points in F1 with Williams in Baku. Can he make some magic happen again? With the weather possibly being rainy, Pierre is one of the best wet-race drivers on the grid; he always seems to make the most of those weekends.
