5 Amazing Moments at the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
With its long straights, tight castle section, and unpredictable conditions, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has quickly established itself as one of the most chaotic and entertaining races on the Formula 1 calendar. Since joining the championship in 2016, Baku has offered high-speed drama, shocking plot twists, and title-shifting moments worthy of its reputation as the wildcard of modern F1.
Let’s revisit five amazing moments that prove why this street race in the heart of Baku has become a fan favorite—and a championship game-changer.
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2017 – Ricciardo’s Triple-Overtake and a Race of Total Chaos
The 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix had everything: crashes, penalties, red flags, teammate collisions, and one of the wildest finishes in modern F1. But through the smoke and carbon fiber, it was Daniel Ricciardo who rose from the chaos. After dropping to 17th following an early pit stop to clear debris from his brakes, the Australian launched an epic comeback. His defining moment came when he executed a daring three-car overtake down the main straight, slicing past Stroll, Hülkenberg, and Massa in one breathtaking move.
The race was already legendary before it reached the final stint. Vettel was handed a penalty for deliberately driving into Hamilton under the safety car. Force India teammates Ocon and Pérez collided while running in podium positions. And a late red flag reshuffled the deck one last time. Ricciardo capitalized on it all, charging to an unlikely and emphatic victory. It was a reminder that in Baku, fortune favors the fearless—and that anything truly can happen.
2018 – Red Bull Implodes as Ricciardo and Verstappen Collide
In 2018, Baku’s reputation for intra-team tension was taken to new levels when Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo spectacularly crashed into each other while fighting for position. The pair had been swapping places all race, thrilling fans and worrying their pit wall. Then, on Lap 40, Ricciardo attempted a move down the inside into Turn 1. Verstappen made a slight defensive jink, Ricciardo couldn’t react in time, and the result was catastrophic: both Red Bulls out of the race.
The incident prompted immediate finger-pointing within the team and a long, painful debrief behind closed doors. Fans and pundits were split on who was to blame, but the consequences were clear—Red Bull had thrown away a likely podium and fractured the chemistry between its two star drivers. It remains one of the most dramatic teammate collisions in recent F1 history, and yet another chapter in Baku’s book of mayhem.
2021 – Verstappen’s Blowout and Hamilton’s “Magic” Mistake
If ever a race symbolized the razor-thin margins of a championship fight, it was the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Max Verstappen was cruising toward victory when his left-rear tire suddenly exploded on the main straight at over 300 km/h, sending him into the wall and out of the race with just a few laps remaining. The red flag that followed set up a two-lap shootout to the finish.
With Verstappen out, Hamilton had a golden chance to take the lead in the title standings. But as the lights went out for the restart, Hamilton accidentally switched on a brake bias setting—known as “brake magic”—causing his front tires to lock up immediately into Turn 1. He ran straight off the track, finishing outside the points.
Both title rivals left Baku with zero points. The double disaster stunned fans and teams alike, blowing the championship wide open. The image of Hamilton’s locked brakes and Verstappen’s destroyed Red Bull sitting in the barriers are forever burned into the visual history of modern F1.
2023 – Sprint Shakeup and Perez’s Masterclass
In 2023, Baku became the first venue to host a revamped Sprint Race weekend, featuring a standalone Sprint Shootout and a non-impacting Sprint result. While the format stirred debate, Sergio Pérez silenced the critics with a clean sweep of the weekend. He won the Sprint and followed it up with a commanding Grand Prix victory on Sunday, making him the only driver to win twice at Baku by that point.
While Verstappen struggled with tire wear and a minor brush with the barriers, Pérez thrived. His street circuit precision, calm under pressure, and ability to conserve tires made him unbeatable on the day. It was a huge moment not just for his own title push, but also in solidifying his reputation as the “King of the Streets.” In a season dominated by Verstappen, Baku became Checo’s stage—and he delivered flawlessly.
2024 – Piastri’s Arrival as a Future Champion
The 2024 edition saw a new star shine under the Azeri sun. Oscar Piastri, still early in his Formula 1 career, delivered a stunning victory—his second in the sport but arguably the more commanding of the two. After a perfect qualifying and a clever race strategy from McLaren, Piastri maintained composure during multiple safety car interruptions and late pressure from Charles Leclerc to take the checkered flag.
Baku once again played kingmaker. In a race where chaos is almost a given, Piastri’s cool temperament and clinical execution stood out. It was the kind of win that doesn’t just boost confidence—it changes reputations. Many began to wonder: was this the moment Oscar Piastri officially arrived as a true contender for future titles?
From heartbreak to heroics, from multi-car mayhem to stunning debuts, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has earned its status as a modern classic. Baku might be young compared to Spa or Monza, but in terms of drama, it’s already playing in the big leagues.
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