Loading
The Formula 1 circus returns to the streets of Baku for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a race known for mixing ultra-high speeds with tight, unforgiving corners. Scheduled for September 19-21 at the Baku City Circuit, this event is set on a 6.003 km (3.730 mi) downtown track featuring 20 turns that wind around both modern skyscrapers and the ancient city walls. Baku has quickly earned a reputation for unpredictability and dramatic races, with its blend of a 2.2 km flat-out straight and a narrow old-city section leaving little margin for error and plenty of excitement. Fans can expect a thrilling weekend as teams tackle one of F1's fastest street circuits -- where top speeds approach 350 km/h and surprises are always on the menu. Below, we highlight all the key points -- from the critical corners to watch, to overtaking hotspots, tire strategies, weather outlook, and historic stats -- to get you fully up to speed for the Azerbaijan GP.
Turn 1 (Azadliq Square) -- A 90-degree left-hander at the end of Baku's enormous main straight. Cars approach at over 200 mph (320 km/h) and must brake hard into this relatively wide left turn. It's a prime action spot, especially on lap one, as the heavy braking zone invites overtaking attempts and occasionally some dramatic contact.
"Castle" Section (Turns 8-9) -- The most iconic part of the track, this uphill left-right kink twists around the historic old city walls. It is the narrowest section on the F1 calendar, barely ~7.6 meters wide between unforgiving stone barriers. Precision is paramount here -- a slight mistake will send a car into the walls, as there's virtually no runoff. This medieval castle chicane demands single-file procession; it's a scenic but perilous highlight of the lap.
Turn 15 -- A downhill left-hander in the final sector that has caught out many drivers. Difficult braking on a sloping approach makes the car light, and the exit of Turn 15 has a wall waiting immediately at corner exit. We've seen plenty of lock-ups and brushes with the barrier here, which can ruin an entire weekend in one swoop if suspension or tires get damaged.
Turn 16 -- The last meaningful corner before the long blast back to the start/finish. This medium-speed left-hander isn't surrounded by walls on exit, but it is absolutely critical to nail. A strong exit from Turn 16 slingshots the car onto the 2 km straight -- any hesitation or wheelspin here will cost significant time and leave a driver vulnerable to being passed into Turn 1. In essence, Turn 16 sets the stage for all the top-speed overtaking that Baku is known for.
Turn 3 (second DRS zone) -- After navigating Turns 1 and 2, drivers get another bite at overtaking on the short straight toward Turn 3. A DRS activation here gives a speed boost into the Turn 3 braking zone (a 90° left). While shorter than the main straight, this run still offers a chance to pass -- especially if a car exits Turn 2 poorly or is on different tire life. Overtakes into Turn 3 are less common but certainly possible with a good slipstream and late braking.
Limited Passing Elsewhere -- Through the tight winding sections (Turns 5--15), overtaking is extremely difficult due to the street circuit's narrowness. Despite what the long straights suggest, passing in Baku "is not at all straightforward" without DRS assistance. The FIA even extended the main straight DRS zone by 100 meters for this venue (after shortening it in 2023) to bolster passing opportunities . Historically, Safety Car restarts have also provided dramatic multi-car pass attempts on the straight. In general, holding position through the twisty castle sector and lining up a move on the following straight is the tried-and-true formula for overtaking on this circuit.
Pirelli is bringing the three softest tire compounds in its range for Baku -- the C3 (hard), C4 (medium), and C5 (soft). These softer compounds should deliver the grip needed on a smooth street surface that isn't too abrasive. Strategically, the Azerbaijan GP is typically a one-stop race under normal conditions. In fact, in last year's race almost the entire field started on the medium tire and then switched to the hard compound when a Safety Car came out on lap 11. Teams favor a medium-to-hard strategy because it offers a good balance of pace and durability, with the hard tire capable of long stints on Baku's mix of long straights and slow corners. Given the high likelihood of Safety Car or VSC interruptions in Baku, however, teams will stay flexible -- an early caution period can hand drivers a "cheap" pit stop, so being ready to adapt strategy is vital.
Tire management will also be crucial: the long flat-out stretches put a lot of energy and heat through the tires (especially the left-front on the high-speed sections), while the numerous 90° turns and traction zones demand strong rear tire grip. Engineers must balance downforce and drag carefully -- too little wing for speed, and the tires might struggle for grip and temperature in the twisty bits; too much wing, and you'll be a sitting duck on the straight. Expect teams to fine-tune setups on Friday to find that sweet spot between flying on the straights and preserving tire performance in the corners.
Early forecasts for Baku indicate sunny, warm conditions for the Grand Prix weekend, with daytime highs in the mid-20s °C (mid-70s °F) expected. There is only a low chance of rain -- roughly a 10% probability on race day -- so a dry race is likely. This means teams will probably stick to slick tires throughout, without the drama of weather-induced strategy gambles. However, Baku's microclimate can still throw curveballs. Temperatures can vary along the lap: parts of the circuit bask in direct sunshine while other sections lie in the shadow of tall buildings or old city walls, causing track surface swings of several degrees. Such variations affect tire performance and grip, so teams will monitor track temperature closely. Additionally, the "City of Winds" nickname is well-earned -- gusts can funnel through the downtown streets off the Caspian Sea. A sudden wind change can unsettle the cars' balance at high speed, as was noted in previous editions.
Drivers will also face fairly high humidity this weekend, which can make the cockpit conditions more taxing. In summary, while clear skies should prevail, the teams must be mindful of Baku's potential for shifting winds and the challenge of keeping tires in the ideal temperature window across a lap with both sun-baked and shaded segments.
Past Winners & Unpredictability: Since Baku's debut on the F1 calendar in 2016, the Azerbaijan GP has seen many different winners. Sergio Pérez is the only driver to win twice in Baku (2017 and 2021). Every other edition had a different victor -- from Daniel Ricciardo's surprise win in 2017 to Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen, and most recently the young Oscar Piastri in 2024. This track's tendency to produce upsets and mixed podiums (remember Lance Stroll's podium as a rookie in 2017?) underscores its reputation for chaos and excitement.
Top Teams: In terms of constructors, Red Bull Racing has mastered Baku the most with 4 wins (2017, 2021, 2022, 2023). Mercedes is close behind with 3 wins (2016, 2018, 2019), while McLaren grabbed the victory in 2024 with Piastri. These stats show that no single team dominates this street race year after year -- performance swings and the circuit's randomness give multiple teams a fighting chance.
Lap Records: The official race lap record at Baku is 1:43.009, set by Charles Leclerc's Ferrari during the 2019 Grand Prix. Leclerc also holds the outright fastest lap ever recorded here, a blistering 1:40.203 during qualifying in 2023. Notably, Leclerc has been a qualifying maestro in Azerbaijan, taking pole position every year since the race returned post-Covid in 2021. With the latest cars, we might see those lap times challenged again, especially in qualifying when engines are turned up and the soft tires are fresh.
Top Speed Feats: Baku's layout also lends itself to astonishing top speeds. Valtteri Bottas famously clocked 378 km/h (235 mph) on the main straight in qualifying for the inaugural 2016 race -- which is one of the fastest speeds ever achieved in an official F1 session. This was an unofficial top-speed record at the time, thanks to the massive tow and long DRS zone. Even in race trim, speeds over 350 km/h are common every year at this track. Such extreme velocity, on a narrow city circuit, makes the Azerbaijan GP a unique adrenaline rush for drivers and viewers alike.
With its mixture of super-speed straights, tight technical corners, and a history of unpredictable twists, the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is shaping up to be a must-watch event for F1 fans. The Baku City Circuit has delivered some of the sport's most memorable moments in recent years -- from surprise winners to dramatic late crashes -- and this year's edition promises no less drama. Teams will have to get their setups and strategies spot-on to conquer Baku's unique challenges, balancing the need for top speed against the demands of cornering grip and reliable brakes. Keep an eye on the weather and any potential Safety Cars, because in Baku anything can happen and often does. As the championship heads into its final phase, every point is crucial, and a strong result here could be pivotal. Strap in for an action-packed weekend on the shores of the Caspian Sea -- the Azerbaijan GP is ready to deliver high-stakes racing at its finest!
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
Want to add a comment? Download our app to join the conversation!
Comments
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!