BAKU AT THE LIMIT

The latest Azerbaijan Formula 1 Grand Prix has come to a close, with a victory for a Mercedes driver. The race, which took place from 24–26 September, marked the 10th anniversary of this celebration of speed in Baku.

The main part of the Grand Prix was also witnessed by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and members of their family.

The most intense

During the qualifying session on 25 September, George Russell demonstrated his leadership skills by maintaining a significant lead throughout most of the session. However, an incident involving Williams driver Alex Albon and the subsequent safety-car periods neutralised his entire advantage. In the closing minutes, Max Verstappen of Red Bull, having switched to soft tyres, put Russell under immense pressure. On the final lap, Russell encountered an issue with his engine, but he successfully completed the race ahead of Verstappen and secured his third victory of the season. The finish was one of the most dramatic in Formula 1 history over the past 24 years.

At the Baku Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell emerged victorious after an extremely tight battle, adding 25 points to his tally. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, who finished just 0.196 seconds behind the leader, took second place and scored 18 points. His Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar, who finished 10.704 seconds behind the winner, claimed the final place on the podium and earned 15 points.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc narrowly missed out on the podium, securing fourth place with 12 points. Meanwhile, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who had started from the back of the grid, finished fifth and collected 10 points. Lewis Hamilton, a seasoned driver, secured sixth place, contributing eight points to his team's overall standings.

Throughout the race, Mercedes demonstrated clear dominance with a vehicle that was both fast and consistent. Mercedes' lead in the Constructors' Championship has been further strengthened by Russell's victory. Young talent Kimi Antonelli, who had encountered problems in qualifying following an accident and started from 16th place, avoided the chaos and climbed to fifth, thereby preventing a significant loss of points.

For Red Bull, who had yet to secure a victory in the 2026 season, the Baku Grand Prix offered considerable consolation. Verstappen, who began the race in eighth position but ultimately secured second place, and the promising young driver Isack Hadjar, who returned to the cockpit after a three-race absence and finished third, delivered the team its first double podium since 2024.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton demonstrated remarkable performance, leveraging the full potential of their vehicles. Leclerc narrowly missed out on the podium, coming in fourth, while Hamilton, after a fiercely contested race, finished in sixth place.

For the Haas team, this race marked a significant milestone, as it was their most successful of the season to date. Esteban Ocon, who finished eighth, and Oliver Bearman, who finished ninth, both made the top ten and brought valuable points to the team.

Intrigues

The Baku City Circuit, with its narrow sections and sharp corners, has always posed a significant challenge for drivers. During the race, tensions within the Alpine team escalated significantly. Franco Colapinto lost control at a corner, forcing both himself and his team-mate Pierre Gasly to withdraw from the race. The team management has expressed a strong reaction to this incident.

Mohammed bin Sulayem, President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), who visited Baku to watch the contest, spoke about the atmosphere here and the distinctive features of the route: "The Baku City Circuit is a unique and truly magnificent circuit. Its historical heritage and modern architecture complement each other. This circuit presents drivers with a range of demanding and complex challenges, and spectators can enjoy an exciting race."

"Sport has evolved beyond the realm of competition between drivers. It is a significant industry, encompassing tourism, competition and entertainment. Azerbaijan is a prime example of this. Congratulations on maintaining and continually developing this level," said Mohammed bin Sulayem.

The FIA president also addressed the country's future cooperation with Formula 1, expressing a positive assessment of Baku's long-term approach to the matter. "It is evident that the plans devised here are strategically aligned with a long-term outlook. This is of significance not only for sport, but for the country as a whole. That is why you have our full support," he added.

Baku’s tourism record

Beyond the sporting dimension, the 2026 Baku Grand Prix was also a major success from both economic and tourism perspectives. According to official figures, the number of foreign tourists who travelled to the capital to watch the anniversary race reached a record level of more than 16,000. It is clear that the Baku race is enjoying growing global popularity, as demonstrated by the fact that fans from more than 120 countries around the world purchased tickets. A programme of entertainment was organised for race weekend, including concerts by high-profile artists such as Katy Perry and Calvin Harris at Crystal Hall.

Baku once again proved itself to be one of the most unpredictable, dynamic and thrilling city circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. It is important to note that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will officially remain on the racing calendar through to 2030. The contract, which had been due to expire in 2026, was extended for a further four seasons. This means that Baku's streets will continue to host the world's fastest cars in 2027–2030. In light of the increasing number of countries seeking to host Formula 1, including Spain, the US and Qatar, alternative options were also discussed. However, the thrilling race scenarios and high television ratings were so highly valued by Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali that Baku retained its existing status.

The drivers themselves acknowledge that Baku has one of the most unpredictable circuits. This feature has been instrumental in generating widespread popularity among fans worldwide.

In line with the objective of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the coming years, the programme for the use of renewable energy and 100 per cent waste recycling will be expanded, while the use of single-use plastic will also be phased out.

The concept of conducting select Grands Prix under artificial lighting, similar to those held in Singapore and Las Vegas, is currently under discussion with Formula 1 management. This could enhance the city's central streets, making them more visually attractive.