Formula 1 fans continue to be treated to an exciting 2024 season as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix gets underway in just a few days. This year, the Baku GP is scheduled as the 17th race of the season. All eyes will be on Red Bull and McLaren as the street circuit event is set to deliver exhilarating moments.
The F1 Azerbaijan GP 2024 or Baku GP will start at 12:00 PM BST on Sunday 15 September. Two practice sessions on September 13 and one on the 14th will be held before the qualifying race on the same day. Red Bull triumphed here last year. Sergio Perez was the champion, while Max Verstappen finished second and Charles Leclerc won the third place.
Also Read: Eight races, one dream: Analyzing Lando Norris’s chances to steal the 2024 Formula 1 championship from Max Verstappen.
Here are the top 5 iconic moments in F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix history
5. Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen collide in 2018
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During the 2018 season, Max Verstappen established himself as a major force at Red Bull, and the team recognized that. This frustrated Daniel Ricciardo, who had performed well in the first three rounds. In fact, Ricciardo also scored more points than Verstappen.
Things got very aggressive as Verstappen fought back against Ricciardo's overtake. The pair touched wheels more than once as they battled for the same piece of track. The two drivers collided with each other when Ricciardo went into the back of Verstappen, causing immediate retirement for both drivers.
4. Max Verstappen's tyre failure in 2021
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Verstappen was leading the championship by four points ahead of Lewis Hamilton heading into the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc took the lead in the first lap but was overtaken by Hamilton at the end of lap 2. Verstappen took the lead on lap 13 and it looked like Red Bull raced within their grasp.
However, a catastrophic tyre failure on the fastest part of the circuit forced Verstappen out of the race. He was just six laps from the finish. The Belgian-Dutch racer slammed into the wall at more than 200mph and littered the circuit with debris.
3. Collision between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton during the safety car period in 2017
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The battle between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton has always been a fan favourite. One of their memorable outings was at the Azerbaijan GP 2017 when both drivers aimed to prove their superiority over the other. During the safety car period, Hamilton pressed the brakes hard, forcing Vettel to crash into the back of the Mercedes. Vettel then hit his rival in an apparent act of revenge.
2. Hamilton mistakenly selected the incorrect brake in 2021
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After Verstappen’s tyre failure, another dramatic event unfolded at the 2021 Baku GP. Hamilton was aware of the fact that a victory would be a huge bonus for him in the championship fight. An unusual amount of smoke billowed from Hamilton's brakes as the cars waited for the lights on the grid.
Also Read: No second thoughts on Lewis Hamilton's exit from Mercedes as Toto Wolff retains no regrets.
He got off to a great start and looked set to take the lead, but chose the wrong brake mode at the restart. He barrelled into the first corner with what can only be described as sub-optimal deceleration. He finished last, denying himself a chance to take a decisive lead in the championship.
1. Lance Stroll shuts down critics with podium finish in 2017 debut season
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Valtteri Bottas left Williams for Mercedes at the end of 2016 and was replaced by the young and inexperienced Lance Stroll. The Canadian has had a difficult start to his F1 career, suffering three retirements in his first three races and three further finishes outside the points. His eligibility to compete in F1 racing was called into question.
However, the young lad managed to stun the racing world and shut up his critics with a sensational performance at the Baku GP. He made an impressive effort to hold second place until the final few meters before Valtteri Bottas beat him to the line. However, he finished third and became the youngest rookie to do so.
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