Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025

Race Highlights

• Max Verstappen converted his pole position into a dominant victory, leading every lap to secure his sixth career grand chelem
• George Russell claimed second place for Mercedes, marking his seventh podium of the season despite feeling unwell throughout the weekend
• Carlos Sainz Jr. finished third, delivering the first podium for Williams from a full race distance since 2017
• Oscar Piastri retired on the opening lap following a jump start that triggered anti-stall and a subsequent crash at turn six
• Liam Lawson achieved a career-best fifth-place finish for Racing Bulls, who have now scored points in five consecutive races
• Alexander Albon finished 13th after receiving a ten-second time penalty for causing a collision with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto
• Kimi Antonelli secured his best starting position of fourth and maintained that position to the finish line for Mercedes

Race Summary

Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass in Baku, securing his second victory at the Baku City Circuit and his sixth career grand chelem. The Red Bull driver led from start to finish, recording both pole position and the fastest lap of the race. Verstappen’s victory allowed him to close the gap in the Drivers’ Championship as both McLaren drivers struggled to maximize their points haul during a high-drama weekend.

A chaotic opening lap significantly reshaped the race after championship leader Oscar Piastri jumped the start, dropped to the back of the field, and ultimately crashed out. This incident triggered an early safety car and forced several drivers, including Fernando Alonso, into reactive errors that resulted in penalties. The race settled into a strategic battle on the narrow street circuit, highlighted by a mid-race collision between Alexander Albon and Franco Colapinto that forced the latter into a spin.

Williams celebrated a historic result as Carlos Sainz Jr. secured third place, marking the team’s first podium from a full race distance in eight years. Behind the podium finishers, Liam Lawson led a strong double-points finish for Racing Bulls, while Lando Norris managed a seventh-place finish to reduce Piastri’s championship lead to 25 points. Following the race, Mercedes moved into second place in the Constructors’ Championship, overtaking Ferrari by four points.