President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva Attend Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Main Race
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Mercedes driver George Russell won the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday after securing victory in the main race held at the Baku City Circuit.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and members of their family attended the race.
The 10th edition of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix began on September 24, attracting a record number of more than 16,000 international tourists to Baku. Eleven teams, each fielding two drivers, competed in the event.
The opening day featured two free practice sessions, followed by qualifying. Russell secured pole position on the six-kilometre Baku circuit, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualifying second and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri third.
In the main race, drivers completed 51 laps over approximately two hours. Russell maintained a strong performance to take first place, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second. Verstappen’s teammate Isack Hadjar secured third place to complete the podium.
Azerbaijan has now hosted Formula 1 races on 10 occasions. The inaugural event was held in 2016 as the European Grand Prix, when Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg claimed victory. From 2017, the event was renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Baku City Circuit has since become an established venue on the Formula 1 calendar, bringing leading drivers and international visitors to the Azerbaijani capital.
