The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a race that first graced the Formulation 1 calendar in 2016 because the European Grand Prix earlier than being rebranded, has developed right into a fan favorite. Its repute is constructed on the high-speed avenue circuit, slender turns, on-track battles, dramatic incidents, and podium finishes that defy expectations. Right here, we revisit 5 of essentially the most unforgettable Azerbaijan Grand Prix races, every a testomony to the race’s unpredictability. And with the 2024 stage on the horizon, the joy is palpable- that is an occasion to not be missed!
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1. 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Chaos and Drama
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – JUNE 25: Race winner Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Crimson Bull Racing celebrates his win on the rostrum through the Azerbaijan Formulation One Grand Prix at Baku Metropolis Circuit on June 25, 2017 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Picture by Clive Rose/Getty Pictures)
Voted the most effective race of 2017, in accordance with a number of publications, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that 12 months set information, with Pirelli reporting the best variety of overtakes in a single race, totalling 42. This chaotic occasion is remembered for the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel throughout a security automotive interval, the place Vettel ran into Hamilton. A number of crashes, security vehicles, and a crimson flag added to the unpredictability. Daniel Ricciardo, who began tenth on the grid, claimed victory, whereas rookie Lance Stroll achieved his first podium end in third place, highlighting the chaotic nature of the Baku Metropolis Circuit.
2. 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Crimson Bull’s Battle
2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sunday – Steve Etherington
The 2018 version noticed Mercedes clinch its first victory of the season, although the race is finest remembered for the dramatic collision between Crimson Bull teammates Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen. Battling fiercely for place all through the race, their conflict simply 11 laps earlier than the end marked some of the intense moments of the season. Valtteri Bottas was set to win however suffered a puncture within the ultimate laps, handing victory to a comparatively quiet Lewis Hamilton.
3. 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Close to Misses and Technique
2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sunday – Wolfgang Wilhelm
Although much less chaotic than earlier years, the 2019 race in Baku featured strategic battles and errors, most notably with Charles Leclerc, who crashed in qualifying however had a powerful race, ending fifth. The race was additionally marked by an incident involving George Russell’s Williams automotive, which hit a free utility gap cowl on the monitor. The next chaos even noticed a tow truck harm a pedestrian bridge, including to the weekend’s drama.
4. 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: The Wild End
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – JUNE 06: Race winner Sergio Perez of Mexico and Crimson Bull Racing celebrates on the rostrum through the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku Metropolis Circuit on June 06, 2021 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Picture by Clive Rose/Getty Pictures)
The 2021 race concluded with a dramatic and surprising end. Max Verstappen was in command of the race till his tyre failed simply 5 laps earlier than the end, forcing him to retire. This opened the door for his Crimson Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, to take the win. In an uncharacteristic error, Lewis Hamilton hit the “brake magic” button throughout a restart, inflicting him to go off at Flip 1 and end out of the factors.
5. 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Perez’s Road Mastery
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – APRIL 30: Race winner Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Crimson Bull Racing, Third positioned Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari, Second positioned Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Crimson Bull Racing and Paul Everington, Head of Electronics at Crimson Bull Racing have fun on the rostrum through the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku Metropolis Circuit on April 30, 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Picture by Alex Pantling/Getty Pictures)
Sergio Perez confirmed his repute because the king of avenue circuits by successful the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Max Verstappen completed second, whereas Charles Leclerc took third, securing Ferrari’s first podium of the season. Within the closing phases, Perez and Verstappen exchanged the quickest laps, however the additional level went to George Russell, who pitted for recent gentle tyres late within the race. On the end, Perez edged out Verstappen by two seconds, with Leclerc 20 seconds behind in third. Fernando Alonso had a powerful race however completed in fourth place, breaking his streak of consecutive podiums.
Can Alonso and Aston Martin break by means of once more right here this 12 months?
Portrait, Baku Metropolis Circuit, GP2417a, F1, GP, Azerbaijan, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Workforce
That’s what Fernando Alonso acknowledged at a press convention on Thursday:
“Let’s see. I feel each race appears a little bit bit completely different. On the midfield, every part is so tight that one or two-tenths could make an enormous distinction, and hopefully, Baku is a type of optimistic weekends for us. Final 12 months, it was a Dash occasion, so we solely had FP1, which was a little bit bit tough for everyone. Hopefully, with free practices, we are able to fine-tune the automotive. Let’s see.”
