In 2017, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix took place for the first. Baku City Circuit hosts this Formula 1 race. The contract stipulates that it will remain on the Formula 1 Calendar through 2024. In 2016, the European Grand Prix was Azerbaijan’s first Formula One race. In 2017, the race changed its name to Azerbaijan GP and was held at the same venue.
The race was one of five street races to be held (Singapore, Monaco, Australia and Canada). The first winner on the Baku circuit, “The Honey Badger”, Daniel Ricciardo. This was back in his Red Bull Racing glory days. Azerbaijan GP 2018 was the fourth round in the season. Mercedes champion Lewis Hamilton was the winner.
Valtteri bottas, driving for Mercedes, won the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The race in 2020 was delayed and then cancelled due to a pandemic. Sergio Perez was the winner of the Baku street race in 2021, while the two-time World Champion Max Vertappen took the prize for the race held in 2022. The Baku City Circuit has no repeat winners. Mercedes and Red Bull have been the only teams to win there.
Red Bull has been the most successful F1 Team in the Azerbaijan GP
Red Bull Racing has won the constructors’ championship in Baku for 2017, 2021, and 2022. This makes them the most successful squad. Mercedes is close behind, having won two times in 2018 and 2019 This is not taking into consideration Nico Rosberg’s win in 2016. It was called the European GP at that time. Red Bull is dominating the track, with Ricciardo Perez and Verstappen.
Verstappen was the fastest driver in the 2022 season. Perez had the initial lead, but Verstappen’s pace was strong. He passed the Mexican to take the lead. This was his first win in Baku, and his 25th win of his career. Verstappen shared a connection with great names such as Jim Clark and Niki Lauda. Red Bull’s 81st Formula 1 win was also a special occasion.
The 2023 Baku F1 is scheduled to take place on April 28th-30th. This race is highly anticipated as F1 will be experimenting with a brand new sprint race format. The feature race will take place on Sunday. There will be three races: a Sprint race and qualifying on Saturday and a feature race and practice on Friday. The team bosses believe it will be chaotic with lots of crashes.
