Baku Blunders, Records & Wins: The Wild World of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Formula One fans, buckle up (and maybe lace up some skates while you're at it)—we're diving into one of the quirkiest and most unpredictable races on the calendar: the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This fast, furious, and often chaotic race through the streets of Baku has delivered everything from shocking crashes to surprise winners. So, what makes Baku a track where records are broken, but not always in the ways you'd expect? Let's find out!

The Troll King of Baku: Sergio "Checo" Perez

Let’s start with a fact that will either make you grin or roll your eyes: the driver with the most wins at Baku is none other than Sergio Perez. Yes, the man who is more trolled on Twitter than actually praised, "Checo" is a two-time Azerbaijan Grand Prix winner! In a race known for turning the unexpected into reality, Checo has become Baku’s unofficial king.

Why? Maybe it’s his skill in street circuits, or maybe it's just that the Baku gods like to give him a little extra speed on this 3.7-mile-long madness. Either way, Perez remains the guy to beat, even if he’s not always the one Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko is cheering for.

DNF at Baku: No Thanks!

If there's one race where drivers would rather not see a "DNF" (Did Not Finish) next to their name, it's Baku. And it’s not just the frontrunners like Verstappen or Norris who are sweating it out. So far in the 2024 season, drivers like George Russell, Guanyu Zhou, and Alex Albon have had more bad luck than a black cat crossing under a ladder.

These guys are definitely hoping their engines (and luck) hold out at Baku, where the tight corners and super-fast straights make even a slight error the perfect recipe for disaster. Will they turn their seasons around? As Kimi Raikkonen would say, "Bwoah, let’s see what happens."

Throwback Time: The First Baku Winner Was... Nico Rosberg?!

Before Perez started stacking Baku wins, it was 2016, and the race wasn’t even called the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. It was the European Grand Prix, and the winner was none other than Nico Rosberg. Yes, the same Nico who would soon quit the sport after finally beating his teammate Lewis Hamilton for the championship. A true mic-drop moment.

Rosberg, ever the calculated racer, took the victory with the confidence of a man who knew he was about to peace out on his F1 career. The German was fast, smooth, and perfect—basically, everything you need to win at Baku. Fun fact: he’s also the only driver to score a Grand Slam (pole, win, fastest lap, and leading every lap) at this crazy circuit.

Even Verstappen Can't Crack Baku Twice

Speaking of records, here’s one that might surprise you: Max Verstappen, reigning F1 juggernaut and current championship leader, has only won at Baku once. Yes, even the mighty Max hasn't cracked the code to back-to-back Baku wins, and that's saying something for a guy who’s turned domination into a hobby.

From crashes to mechanical issues, Baku seems to have it out for Verstappen. Will 2024 be his year to change that? Don’t count on it being a walk in the park—or should we say, a walk in the Old City?

Leclerc’s Got the Lap Record, But Not the Win

Here’s a fun little nugget: Charles Leclerc holds the lap record at Baku, a blistering 1:43.009 set back in 2019. But, despite that record, Leclerc has yet to win a race at this circuit. It’s the ultimate "so close, yet so far" situation. Ferrari fans will tell you they’re used to this kind of thing—record-breaking performances that somehow don’t end in victory.

Will 2024 be different for the Monegasque? Or will his record remain a bittersweet reminder of what could’ve been?

Baku: The Street Circuit That Never Disappoints

If Baku were a person, it would be that unpredictable friend who always keeps things interesting—sometimes in the best ways, sometimes in the most chaotic. Tight corners, fast straights, and crashes galore have made the Azerbaijan Grand Prix a must-watch. The drivers know it, the teams know it, and we F1 fans definitely know it.

So, whether it’s Perez trolling his haters with another win, or Verstappen attempting to break his Baku curse, one thing is certain: Baku never fails to deliver the drama. Let’s see who comes out on top in 2024—after all, this is Baku, where even the impossible is possible.