As Formula 1 returns to Baku this weekend, the Azerbaijan GP looms not only as a test of speed and nerve but possibly as the coronation for McLaren in the Constructors’ title. With eight rounds left in the season and tension mounting across the grid, Baku promises drama.
F1 awaits Azerbaijan’s tough Baku streets
The Baku City Circuit is in the ‘Land of Fire,’ lives up to its reputation. Its 6.003 km layout blends long, flat-out straights with tight, twisty sectors through the old city and around the castle citadel.
That historic stretch is so narrow that wheel-wide precision matters, while the closing 2 km sprint down the main straight is where power, slipstreaming, and brave DRS use come into play.
Sport Bilder des Tages F1 Grand Prix Of Azerbaijan 2024 Start of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan on September 15, 2024. Baku Azerbaijan PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJakubxPorzyckix originalFilename:porzycki-f1grandp240915_npkjE.jpg Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto Recording Date: 15.09.2024
The surface is less grippy than permanent circuits, showing visible wear from city traffic in non-race periods, which often leads to tyre graining, especially early in sessions.
Pirelli brings the softest tyre compounds this year for Baku: C4 as Hard, C5 Medium, C6 Soft. That choice increases the possibility of two-stop strategies, especially if safety cars intervene or degradation spikes in hotter or windier conditions.
The weather is expected to be mostly dry, mild, but with enough uncertainty to keep teams on edge. Slight chance of showers Friday afternoon, moderate cloud cover, and wind could become a factor, especially in qualifying and in the exposed sections of the track.
Iconic memories in Baku include Charles Leclerc’s four straight poles here, Oscar Piastri’s win in 2024 after an intense battle, last-lap collisions and late safety cars.
In the land of fire, expect spectacle, overtaking, unpredictability, incidents, and sometimes chaotic luck.
McLaren’s path to glory in the ‘Land of Fire’
McLaren arrives in Baku leading the Constructors’ Championship with 617 points, a commanding 337-point cushion over Ferrari’s 280.
With 346 points still up for grabs after this weekend, McLaren need only outscore Ferrari by nine points to clinch the title here in Azerbaijan – essentially, a one-two finish or a strong P1 and P3 if Ferrari falters would seal it.
Their car this season, the MCL39, has proven dominant over race distances. It handles tyres well, is consistent, and has delivered multiple one-two finishes.
Strong race pace in Baku often trumps everything else, especially if the tyres and strategy are well managed, and McLaren have the upper hand here, unless ‘Papaya Rules’ have anything to say about it.
Can Ferrari find qualifying magic?
Ferrari remain without a race win this year, despite flashes of speed and moments of promise, including an early sprint race win in China for Lewis Hamilton.
Charles Leclerc has claimed pole at Baku four years in a row, demonstrating both personal affinity with the circuit’s demands and outright single-lap speed in Ferrari machinery. But converting those poles into wins has been elusive, often due to strategy misfortunes, safety cars, or race pace deficits.
Ferrari seem hopeful this could be one of their stronger weekends, especially given Leclerc’s history here, and the unpredictability of a race in Azerbaijan.
If they nail qualifying, Leclerc could once again start up front, offering a chance to press early. Hamilton has yet to mount a podium this season. For him and the team, everything must click.
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Rookies rising, rumours, and risks
Isack Hadjar continues to impress. The French-Algerian rookie has delivered strong results and holds momentum.
Rumours swirl that he is the front-runner to become Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull in 2026, though as of now, no contract is signed. Hadjar himself has said he has an idea of what direction things might take, but nothing is final.
Gabriel Bortoleto has also caught attention. He has been scoring more consistently, outqualifying his more experienced teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, on many occasions, and delivering solid performances that suggest he is growing into his role.
Oliver Bearman is walking a tightrope. After causing a collision with Carlos Sainz at the Italian GP, he now has 10 penalty points on his superlicence. Two more points would trigger an automatic one-race ban, meaning that any mistake in Baku could carry heavy consequences.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has had a tougher season. The Mercedes rookie has shown flashes but has struggled to score regularly.
Toto Wolff recently described his Monza performance as “underwhelming.” The pressure is mounting.
Despite a strong junior record and moments of pace, there is still no clear contract extension update or major team public backing beyond development expectations.
Azerbaijan GP weekend schedule
Baku in 2025 may well be remembered as where McLaren’s dominance was confirmed, or alternatively, where Ferrari, with a perfect weekend, stole some momentum.
Either way, the ‘Land of Fire’ will see intense heat not only from engine exhausts and asphalt, but from the pressure cooker of championship aspirations and rookie dreams alike.
Here’s your Baku GP weekend schedule:
Friday, September 19
- FP1: 9:30 – 10:30 BST
- FP2: 13:00 – 14:00 BST
Saturday, September 20
- Qualifying: 13:00 – 14:00 BST
Sunday, September 21
- Baku GP: 12:00pm BST
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 18.09.2025
The post 2025 Baku GP: Three storylines as F1 heads to the ‘Land of Fire’ appeared first on Last Word on Motorsports.
