2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Foresight
TRACK OVERVIEW AND HISTORY
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is one of Formula 1’s newest but most exciting street races, first held in 2016 at the Baku City Circuit. Taking place in the capital of Azerbaijan, the race is known for its dramatic mix of tight corners through the historic old city and one of the longest straights on the calendar along the Caspian Sea. The layout creates a thrilling contrast, forcing drivers to balance precision in the narrow castle section with top speed down the 2.2 km main straight. Since its debut, Baku has earned a reputation for chaos and unpredictability, with standout moments like the 2017 clash between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo’s surprise victory. In 2018, Max and Danial collided. In 2021, Sergio Pérez capitalized on late drama to take the win after Max Verstappen’s puncture and Hamilton’s restart mistake, cementing the circuit’s reputation as a “race of drama.”
As of 2025, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix remains a key highlight on the F1 calendar, scheduled this season for June 15. The 6.003 km circuit features 20 corners, from the iconic Turn 8 at the castle walls—one of the narrowest in Formula 1—to high-speed sections that push cars to their limits. Fans fill the grandstands along the Caspian waterfront, blending old-world architecture with a vibrant modern spectacle. Known for its frequent safety cars, unexpected winners, and thrilling overtakes, Baku continues to deliver some of the most unpredictable and memorable races in modern Formula 1.
Max and Danial Baku crash
Official Azerbaijan Grand Prix Track Layout
Going into the new race this weekend, there are a lot of questions surrounding McLaren and the way that they are going to continue this race with their orders. Oscar had to give up a position last race because of Lando’s slow pitstop. This made Oscar a little bit angry because he believed that a slow pit stop is part of racing. Personally, I do not think that there is going to be any bad blood between the team, besides the front right gunman, who was probably fired. I do believe that Oscar is going to beat Lando.
With McLaren not winning at Monza, I think that same result will happen again this week. McLaren is really strong in the fast-speed corners and slower on the straights, making me feel like Max is going to win again this week. This does not make him a candidate for the driver's championship, but it does give him a little boost in his racing resume if he needs it anymore.
McLaren
UPGRADES BROUGHT TO THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX
The Azerbaijan GP in Baku is tricky because the track has one of the longest straights in F1, but also very tight corners and walls. Cars need to be fast on the straight (low drag) but still have grip in the corners (downforce).
FLOOR (Under Body)
Teams revise the floor’s shape, especially the geometry of tunnels or the edges. They adjust how the underside of the car handles airflow — sometimes subtle tweaks to gradients under the floor to improve flow and pressure.
Rear corner/deflectors
Teams modify the deflectors around the rear corners of the floor. This helps control the airflow exiting the sides and rear of the underbody, which improves efficiency and helps the diffuser work better, reducing turbulence and drag.
Front wing / front flap
Change the camber (angle) of the front flap; reduce the camber so the wing produces less downforce (less drag) on straights. Sometimes the shape of upper wing elements is adjusted. With long straights, you need high top speed. Less downforce in some aerodynamic surfaces lowers drag, helping speed. But you need to balance so you don’t lose too much grip in corners.
Wing (rear/beam wing / rear wing assembly)
Using low-drag versions of rear wings, sometimes redesigning beam wing elements, and slimming certain parts of wings. Also, some teams adjust DRS behaviour or trailing edges. For example, some new rear wings are designed specifically for Baku to reduce drag while keeping enough downforce. On Baku’s long straight, drag is a big performance limiter. A rear wing that gives less drag helps you get more speed, but you also need stability in high-speed braking and tight turns.
Cooling / bodywork around sidepods
Slight adjustments to sidepod inlets, fairings, sometimes moving bodywork to help airflow into cooling systems. Also tweaks to shape so that airflow is “cleaner” earlier. Because at high speeds, engine and brakes generate a lot of heat. If airflow is inefficient, things overheat. Also, disturbed air (wake) from tyres etc. reduces aerodynamic efficiency, so smoothing airflow is helpful.
Reverting problematic parts
Sometimes teams will not use a newly introduced part because it gives problems. If an upgrade causes instability (for example, too much bouncing, poor behaviour over kerbs or bumps, poor balance), the risk might outweigh the potential gain, especially on a tricky street circuit like Baku.
TIRE COMPOUNDS AND RACE STAGEY
This year’s new tyre, the C6, reappears in Baku, which means the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is also taking a step on the softer side with C4 as Hard, the C5 as Medium, and the C6 as Soft, so as to increase the range of possible strategies. Last year in Baku, the slicks in use were the C3, C4, and C5. Qualiging will be the C6 soft but the C5 Mediums is not out of the question.
A one-stop strategy might look possible in Baku, but teams are unlikely to risk it. With Pirelli bringing the softest compounds available (C4–C6) and the track featuring both a massive main straight and tight braking zones, tyre wear is expected to be high. Strategy will need to stay flexible, as the Baku street circuit has a history of safety cars. Good news for the teams is that the weather is very predictable.
