Race Schedule and Highlights of the Azerbaijan Formula 1 Event
The streets of Baku, the historic and modern heart of Azerbaijan, played host to the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This urban circuit, with its 20 curves and a total length of 6.003 km, is the third longest track on the Formula 1 calendar.
The race saw Oscar Piastri clinch his first victory of the season, propelling McLaren to the top of the Constructors' World Championship. Piastri's win marked a significant milestone for the team, as it brought them closer to securing their second consecutive title.
Charles Leclerc, the 'Saturday King' in the Azerbaijani capital, once again demonstrated his qualifying prowess. He secured his fourth pole position in Baku, equalling a Ferrari record held by Michael Schumacher. However, Leclerc's race was marred by incidents that prevented him from converting his pole positions into wins. Despite this, Leclerc continues to hold the record for the most pole positions in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The tight corners of the Baku circuit are notorious for their unforgiving nature, with drivers often crashing into the walls and barriers. Leclerc himself has had multiple incidents compromising his performances in Baku, including a crash during the qualifying session for the 2019 race and losing control of the SF-24 in the first practice session of the 2024 Grand Prix.
The 2021 season saw its fair share of unusual incidents. Lewis Hamilton, for instance, finished in last place after failing to brake for the first corner due to an involuntary touch on a button on his steering wheel. Conversely, Daniel Ricciardo emerged victorious in the 2017 race after an impressive sequence of overtakes, culminating in a thrilling three-way battle in the first corner at the end of the main straight.
The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix also saw Franco Colapinto earn his first career points with an eighth-place finish. The race took place from September 19 to 21, with the schedule including Free Practice 1 (FP1), Free Practice 2 (FP2), Free Practice 3 (FP3), Qualification, and the Race.
As of the 16th race of the 2025 season, Piastri leads the Drivers' World Championship, with McLaren comfortably ahead in the Constructors' Championship. The team could secure the Constructors' title in Baku if they meet certain conditions in that race.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, one of the newest on the Formula 1 calendar with less than a decade of existence, continues to provide thrilling races and unexpected twists. The 2024 edition was no exception, with Piastri's victory and Leclerc's pole position record adding to the rich history of this exciting race.
