BAKU, Azerbaijan, September
25. The qualifying session of the Formula 1
Azerbaijan Grand Prix has started at the Baku City Circuit,
Trend’s correspondent reports from
the race venue.
The starting positions for tomorrow's main race will be
determined based on the results of the session.
In the first practice session held yesterday, Mercedes driver
George Russell finished first, Red Bull Racing driver Max
Verstappen second, and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc third.
In the second practice session, Mercedes driver George Russell
finished the session in first place. His teammate Kimi Antonelli
came in second, while Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen
finished third.
In the final third practice session held today, Max Verstappen
finished the session in first place. George Russell was second, and
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was third.
The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is being held for
the 10th time this year.
The first Formula 1 race at the Baku City Circuit was held in
2016 as the European Grand Prix. Since 2017, the event has been
held as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar. The
race was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Baku City Circuit is 6.003 kilometers long. Drivers will
complete 51 laps in the main race, covering more than 306
kilometers. The track runs counterclockwise and features 20
corners.
The Baku circuit is known for its narrow streets, long
straights, and barriers positioned close to the track. Along the
section running beside the Old City walls, the track narrows to 7.6
meters, leaving drivers little room for error.
Baku is also known for producing unexpected results. Sergio
Perez and Max Verstappen are among the drivers who have won the
Azerbaijan Grand Prix twice. Verstappen won in Baku in 2022 and
2025, while Perez crossed the finish line first in 2021 and
2023.
This time, championship leader Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku
with an 81-point lead. The Mercedes driver has won eight of the
first 14 races of the season and also took first place at the most
recent round in Madrid.
This year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix will also feature a different
Formula 2 format. Baku is the only round this season where Formula
2 serves as the sole support series. The schedule includes two
qualifying sessions on Thursday, a sprint race and the first
feature race on Friday, and the second feature race on
Saturday.
Baku is also known for producing unexpected results. Sergio
Perez and Max Verstappen are among the drivers who have won the
Azerbaijan Grand Prix twice. Verstappen won in Baku in 2022 and
2025, while Perez crossed the finish line first in 2021 and
2023.
This time, championship leader Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku
with an 81-point lead. The Mercedes driver has won eight of the
first 14 races of the season and also took first place at the most
recent round in Madrid.
Special attention during the qualifying session in Baku will be
focused on Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver
secured pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix four consecutive
times—in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. He holds the record for the
most pole positions at the Baku round. However, Leclerc has been
unable to convert any of these pole positions into a race
victory.
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen put an end to Leclerc's
streak by claiming pole position in Baku in 2025. Verstappen won
the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2022 and 2025. Should he win this
year, he will become the first driver to triumph in the Baku race
three times.
Qualifying sessions at the Baku City Circuit have also been
marked by unexpected events in previous years. Last year's session
was halted six times due to red flags, setting a new record in
Formula 1 history in this regard.
The main race of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on
September 26. The drivers will complete 51 laps, covering a total
distance of over 306 kilometers.
