The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is one of the newest additions to the Formula One calendar, yet it has already built a reputation for unpredictability, drama and high-speed spectacle. Held on the Baku City Circuit in Baku, the capital, the race first appeared under its current name in 2017, one year after the venue debuted as the European Grand Prix.
Blending ultra-narrow sections near the medieval city walls with one of the longest straights in Formula One, Baku consistently produces safety cars, surprise podiums and late race twists. With a contract in place until at least 2030, the event has quickly become a modern classic.
What To Know?
- From P10 to Victory: Daniel Ricciardo won the inaugural Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2017 from 10th on the grid, the lowest starting position for a Baku race winner so far.
- First Double Winner: Sergio Pérez became the first driver to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix twice, triumphing in 2021 and 2023, and also winning the sprint in 2023.
- Verstappen’s Redemption Arc: Max Verstappen suffered a tyre failure while leading in 2021 but returned to win in 2022 and 2025, underlining Red Bull’s strength on high-speed street circuits.
- A Sprint First: The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was the first Formula One weekend to use the revised sprint format, introducing the standalone sprint shootout session that set the grid for the sprint race.
List of Every Azerbaijan Grand Prix Winner
| Year | Circuit | Driver | Constructor | Start Pos. | Win margin | Race time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Baku | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2025 | Baku | Max Verstappen | Red Bull -Honda RBPT | 1 | 14.609s | 1hr 33m 26.408s |
| 2024 | Baku | Oscar Piastri | McLaren -Mercedes | 2 | 10.910s | 1hr 32m 58.007s |
| 2023 | Baku | Sergio Perez | Red Bull -Honda RBPT | 3 | 2.137s | 1hr 32m 42.436s |
| 2022 | Baku | Max Verstappen | Red Bull -RBPT | 3 | 20.823s | 1hr 34m 05.941s |
| 2021 | Baku | Sergio Perez | Red Bull -Honda | 6 | 1.385s | 2hr 13m 36.410s |
| 2019 | Baku | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 1 | 1.524s | 1hr 31m 52.942s |
| 2018 | Baku | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2 | 2.460s | 1hr 43m 44.291s |
| 2017 | Baku | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull -TAG Heuer | 10 | 3.904s | 2hr 03m 55.573s |
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Winner: 2017 to 2018
The first official Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2017 produced instant drama with Daniel Ricciardo storming from tenth on the grid to win for Red Bull Racing in a race filled with safety cars, penalties and a red flag stoppage. His daring overtake after the restart sealed one of the most unlikely victories of the hybrid era.
In 2018, Baku once again delivered late race tension. A collision between the two Red Bulls reshaped the outcome and allowed Lewis Hamilton to take victory for Mercedes.
After just two editions under its new name, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix had already proven it could produce headline moments.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Winners: 2019 to 2020
The 2019 race was more controlled at the front. Valtteri Bottas converted pole position into victory, leading a dominant Mercedes 1-2 finish.
Track position and straight line efficiency proved decisive around the 6-kilometre layout, highlighting a more strategic side to the circuit.
The 2020 edition was scheduled but ultimately cancelled due to the global pandemic, temporarily removing Baku from the calendar.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Winners: 2021 to 2023
The 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix delivered one of the most dramatic finales in recent memory. Max Verstappen looked set for victory before a sudden tyre failure sent him crashing out while leading.
That opened the door for Lewis Hamilton to win, but he overshot turn one at the race restart, handing the win to Sergio Pérez, who kept his composure through a tense standing restart to secure victory.
Verstappen returned in 2022 to claim a commanding win, this time converting Red Bull’s pace into a dominant result.
The 2023 event introduced Formula One’s revised sprint format, including a separate sprint shootout session. Pérez thrived under the new structure, winning both the sprint and the Grand Prix. In doing so, he became the first driver to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix twice.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Winners: 2024 to Today
In 2024, the race shifted to a September date on the calendar. Oscar Piastri delivered victory for McLaren, adding another new winner to Baku’s growing list.
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The following season saw Verstappen secure his second Azerbaijan Grand Prix triumph in 2025, reinforcing Red Bull’s strength on high-speed street layouts.
Looking ahead, the 2026 edition is set to be held on a Saturday to accommodate national Remembrance Day, another unique milestone for a race that continues to evolve.
A Circuit Built for Drama
Despite its short F1 history, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has already produced comeback drives, late-race heartbreak and landmark format changes. The narrow castle section punishes errors, while the long straight encourages bold overtaking moves.
Few circuits blend risk and reward quite like Baku, and with its place secured on the calendar until at least 2030, more dramatic chapters are certain to follow.
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From Adelaide to Silverstone to Monza and Spa, we chart the full story of every F1 winner from each event’s first race to the last.
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