The final third of the season got underway in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, which history recounts was founded by Alexander the Great. The city’s name in Arabic (Bākuh, Bākūh, or Bākūyā) is derived from the Persian bād kūbak, meaning 'gust of wind.' Baku has hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix every year since 2016, except in 2020. In its inaugural year, the event was called the Grand Prix of Europe, but it has since taken the name of the country. In 2024, for the first time, the race took place in September instead of the usual April or June, and this will continue next year to create a more logistically coherent calendar.

The track is 6.003 kilometers long and has remained mostly unchanged since 2016, featuring 20 corners. Some of these, like the first seven, are nearly right-angle turns, while others in the old part of the city are very slow. Certain corners are taken flat out, as they lead into a two-kilometer straight, which finishes at the start-finish line. The track width varies significantly, narrowing to just seven meters at Turn 8 and widening enough on the main straight to fit three cars abreast. The circuit can be summarized as being as tight as Monaco in some sections and as fast as Monza in others.

The fastest top speed ever recorded by a Formula 1 car in an official event was set in Baku, when Valtteri Bottas hit 378 km/h (234.9 mph) in his Williams-Mercedes during qualifying for the inaugural event in 2016.

This year’s race featured two rookies: Franco Colapinto in the Williams, who has been substituting for Logan Sargeant since Monza for the remainder of the season, and Ollie Bearman at Haas, filling in for Kevin Magnussen, who was banned for one race after accumulating 12 penalty points on his license within 12 months.

FRIDAY

Three drivers from three different teams separated by just 66 thousandths of a second. Since Miami, the top teams have been closely matched, and that trend continues in Baku. Also ongoing is Charles Leclerc’s strong form in the Ferrari, setting the fastest qualifying time with a 1:43.484. Second, just six thousandths slower, is Sergio Perez (Red Bull), who always performs well in Azerbaijan's capital with two wins, a Sprint victory, and five podiums in seven appearances. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) is third, 66 thousandths behind his future teammate.

SATURDAY

Charles Leclerc secured his fourth consecutive pole position in Baku. The Ferrari driver has shown that he’s truly at home on this unique track, where no one has managed to beat him over a single lap since 2021. In fact, in addition to these four poles, he was also the fastest in last year’s Sprint Shootout. This marked the Monegasque’s 26th career pole, his third this year, while for Ferrari, it was number 252 overall and their fifth at this circuit, the first dating back to 2018 thanks to Sebastian Vettel.

Leclerc’s lap time of 1:41.365 put him over three-tenths ahead of second-placed Oscar Piastri (1:41.686 for McLaren) and 44 hundredths quicker than teammate Carlos Sainz, who was third with a 1:41.805.

SUNDAY

It was a thrilling Grand Prix in a city that never disappoints, living up to its motto, "Well done, Baku."

Oscar Piastri won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing his second victory in the very early stages of his Formula 1 career. McLaren’s Australian driver took the checkered flag ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) after the two dueled for most of the race. George Russell reached the third step of the podium, with the Mercedes driver inheriting the position after Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Sergio Perez (Red Bull) collided on the penultimate lap, causing the race's only neutralization. The event ended under the Virtual Safety Car.

Piastri earned 25 points today, and Lando Norris brought home 13, meaning McLaren now leads the Constructors' Championship for the first time since the opening round of the 2014 season in Australia.

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Excerpts of this article provided by Pirelli S.p.A.