Inside the Craziest Moments in Azerbaijan GP History
September 21, 2025
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The Azerbaijan Grand Prix recently got renewed for another four years, keeping it on the calendar until 2030.
Baku broke into the sport less than a decade ago, dating back to 2016, though it was initially known as the European Grand Prix. In 2017, it became the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Formula 1 is expanding faster than ever, adding more tracks to the rotation, especially in big cities, though the racing series clearly believes Baku still has a place in the sport.
“There’s an incredible energy to the city of Baku and since our first Grand Prix here in 2016 Formula 1 has consistently received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the people of Azerbaijan,” F1 President Stefano Domenicali said.
A general view shows the track and the Flame Towers during a qualifying session of the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit in Baku on September 20, 2025. A general view shows the track and the Flame Towers during a qualifying session of the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit in Baku on September 20, 2025. Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP/Getty Images
“The circuit is unique, with technical sections and long straights that run through the stunning shoreline and historic old town, delivering an eventful and entertaining race every year.
“This renewal reflects the strong trust and commitment between Formula 1, the Azerbaijani Government, and the promoter, and paves the way for an exciting future in the country.
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Like many street circuits, Baku features some close encounters with the barriers.
Drivers tend to kiss the barriers regularly as they use the entire track to extract lap times.
They also end up taking several turns blindly, forcing them to drive on the limit and trust the car.
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Over its history in F1, Baku has been the home of multiple safety cars and red flags, with drivers involved in self-inflicted collisions with the wall or incidents with cars on track.
Here are some of the most notable moments from its history:
Daniel Ricciardo’s Triple Overtake in 2017
Riccardo pulled off a stunning move into Turn 1, passing Felipe Massa, Lance Stroll, and Nico Hulkenberg in one sequence.
It ended up being regarded as the best of the season, and it helped him clear a bit of traffic on his way to a race victory.
During his heyday, the Aussie was known for his daring feats on track, willing to break later than anyone and get past cars in an aggressive, but controlled manner.
Verstappen vs. Ricciardo Battle in 2018
A youthful Max Verstappen broke into F1 as a teenager and quickly got his promotion into the senior Red Bull team.
In his early years at Red Bull, as he was ascending, the Dutch sensation often clashed with Ricciardo on track. Both drivers are known for being aggressive on track and racing hard.
During the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Verstappen was ahead of Ricciardo on lap 40 when Ricciardo became frustrated with staying behind the Dutchman and made a late lunge, resulting in a significant collision that took out both drivers.
This incident resulted in Ricciardo feeling like he was not going to be treated as a priority at Red Bull if Verstappen was also on the team.
Eventually, the fan-favorite departed for Renault at the end of the season.
Charles Leclerc’s 2019 Qualifying Crash
In one of the biggest crashes at the track, Leclerc ended up smashing into the wall while on a push lap during Q3.
He was fighting for pole position and tried to set a lap time better than his previous one, but he failed to do so.
Somehow, his previous lap was still good enough for pole, though at the time of the crash, Leclerc did not know.
After his incident, he said, “I am stupid,” on the radio, marking one of the most iconic radio messages in recent memory.
Drivers’ Championship Contenders Crash Out in 2021
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were locked in a battle for the title throughout the 2021 season.
The 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix proved to be one for the ages, as Verstappen’s tire blew up with four laps to go, sending him into the wall and taking him out of the race.
It was a brutal turn of events for Red Bull’s driver, who was leading the race at the time, though there was nothing the team or he could do about it.
Hamilton got thrust into the lead, though he ended up hitting the wrong button on his steering wheel, which caused his brakes to act up and lock up in Turn 14 while battling with Sergio Perez.
The seven-time champion finished in 15th, walking away pointless.
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For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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