Six Red Flags, One Smooth Operation: The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Sep 25
3 min read
I’ve always believed that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was one of the spicier races on the calendar, but 2025’s edition was sheer pandemonium. It was, however, nice to see the weekend play out differently.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025: A Race to Remember
Qualifying Chaos
Qualifying, for one, was barely a fight for pole. What was supposed to be about an hour ended up being nearly two hours due to six red flags. This was the most in F1 history, halting the session repeatedly. Here’s a quick list of the incidents:
Q1: Alex Albon (Williams), Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Franco Colapinto (Alpine). The Alpine crashes occurred simultaneously.
Q2: Ollie Bearman (Haas)
Q3: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Verstappen, unsurprisingly, emerged from the chaos with the coveted pole position. However, all eyes quickly turned to Carlos Sainz, the Williams driver who secured P2. Liam Lawson of Visa Cash App Racing Bull soared to P3, marking his career-best in a qualifying session. This peculiar session foreshadowed what was going to be an interesting race day.
McLaren's Disastrous Weekend
On the McLaren side of things, the team and drivers had a disastrous weekend. The red flags during Q3 interrupted Norris’ rhythm, landing him in P7. His race was muted by yet another pit-stop lag and the unmovable wall of Tsunoda’s Red Bull. Piastri had it worse on Sunday—a jump start and a first-lap collision with the Turn 6 wall. Championship leads are rarely lost in one blow, but Baku carved deep scars.
Race Day: Verstappen's Dominance
Max Verstappen was untouchable in the race. He controlled the pace from lights out, managing the pit cycles without stress. He finished comfortably clear of his competitors. This was yet another reminder that the Dutch driver thrives on execution amidst wreckage and carnage.
Carlos Sainz suffered no hiccups during the race. He chased Verstappen early but lost ground to George Russell’s Mercedes, who finished in second place despite battling a chest infection. Worry not, though—Sainz finished in third.
Sainz’s podium finish was sweeter than just a number. It marked Williams' first podium since 2021. This proved that his faith in his new team was not folly but foresight. I had a feeling we would see him on the podium this season. Perhaps we’ll see him up there again?
Points After Baku
The points table now feels tighter and more precarious in the Drivers’ Championship. Oscar Piastri clings to the lead with 324 points, his margin halved. Norris is closing in at 299, while Verstappen lurks at 255. Depending on how things fare in the next round, the Red Bull driver could have an increasing chance at securing his fifth championship title.
The Constructors’ battle tells a different story. McLaren remains on top with 623 points. Mercedes is in second place with 290 points, followed by Ferrari in third with 286 points, and Red Bull with 272 points. Williams, lifted by Sainz’s results, leads the midfield in fifth place at 101 points.
Next Up: Singapore
The season pivots from Baku’s long straights to Marina Bay’s endless corners in Singapore. This race is one of heat, attrition, twists, and turns. Mistakes not only cost seconds but guarantee on-track calamity. With Norris and Piastri scrambling, Verstappen back on the hunt for victory, and Sainz being the wild card no one saw coming, the street circuit of Singapore may just decide who holds the pen for the rest of the season.
Conclusion
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025 was a race filled with excitement and unpredictability. The chaos of qualifying set the stage for an unforgettable race day. As the season progresses, fans eagerly await the next chapter in Singapore.
