F1 Azerbaijan GP: All race winners

These drivers have dominated the streets of Baku.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has given Formula 1 an aura of mysterious unpredictability as the Baku City Circuit, in its six iterations, has given us all different winners.

Unbeknownst to many, the first F1 Grand Prix in Azerbaijan took place in 2016 as the European Grand Prix. Officially, it came into being on its own as an entity from the next season as the Azerbaijan GP. 

Baku is one of five street circuits currently scheduled in the F1 calendar. Unlike others, the track presents a large circuit with long, speedy straights. Azerbaijan GP is one of the latest ones, but it has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting ones with drivers and fans alike. Unlike Monaco, for example, Baku provides better racing because of the increased overtaking opportunities on offer.

Apart from that, this GP is the second-longest circuit in the current calendar spanning over 6km. F1 cars can reach over 350 km/h on the main straight before turning the first of 20 corners. With 51 laps to offer, the 306 kilometers race adds to the spectacular street racing.

Let us glance over all the race winners from this race.

Nico Rosberg (2016)

Rosberg arrived at the eighth race of the season at Baku with a nine-point lead in the World Drivers' Championship ahead of his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. The German driver went on to extend his championship lead to twenty-four points after securing a maiden Azerbaijan race win. Ferrari was second in the Constructors' ranking to Mercedes. Sebastian Vettel finished second for the Prancing Horses- followed by Sergio Perez, driving for Force India.

Daniel Ricciardo (2017)

With Rosberg retired, Sebastian Vettel came into Baku with a twelve-point lead over Mercedes's Lewis Hamilton in the World Drivers' Championship. In the Constructors, Ferrari trailed behind Mercedes by eight points. During the race, Ricciardo pitted on lap 6 to remove debris from his brakes. The Red Bull driver had to resume from 17th place.

However, an unlikely incident between the top two championship leaders presented the Australian with a rare opportunity to add momentum to his already fascinating overtake-filled drive. Vettel's penalty and Hamilton's cautionary pit-stop made it a recovery drive for the last of the late breakers Ricciardo, who claimed his fifth career victory ahead of Valtteri Bottas and a young Lance Stroll.

Lewis Hamilton (2018)

Despite Sebastian Vettel starting from the pole position, he failed to convert that into a win. A safety car on lap 40 after the collision between the two Red Bulls narrowed the grid order. Hamilton was in third, Vettel in second, and Bottas was leading the race at the resumption on lap 47.

With the aid of a tow, and Vettel's unfortunate lock-up, Hamilton capitalized and drove on. With three laps to the finish, Bottas had a puncture after going over on-track debris, giving the British driver the determination to push on toward the finish line in magnificent fashion. Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen finished second, while Force India-Mercedes Sergio Perez bagged the final podium spot.

Valtteri Bottas (2019)

Arriving at Baku, Lewis Hamilton held a 6-point advantage in the Drivers' Championship over Valtteri Bottas. Mercedes enjoyed a 57-point advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship. Bottas' sure-shot victory from last year was redeemed in this one, as the Finnish driver had a memorable weekend, extending his qualifying form to the race to lead on both fronts for Mercedes. Hamilton finished second, and Ferrari's Vettel finished third.

Sergio Pérez (2021)

In 2020, the annual spectacle got canceled. F1 returned to the circuit two years later with much more drama in store. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was on the pole, but it took only eight laps for him to fall out of podium places. Championship contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen both faltered out of the race during the course of 51 laps, handing out an opportunistic victory for Sergio Perez.

Verstappen had to retire on the main straight after losing control of his machinery by hitting the wall, while Hamilton had a terrible start at the restart, locking his tires up at turn 1. Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel finished 2nd while AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly finished 3rd.

Max Verstappen (2022)

The Dutch driver started the race from the 3rd spot on the grid, behind his teammate Perez and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was on the pole. On lap 21, Leclerc had to retire due to Ferrari's infrequent power unit issues and trail further behind Verstappen's Championship lead.

With the continued dominance from Red Bull this season, the reigning World Champion might be the top contender to win the 2023 Azerbaijan GP, making him the first and only driver to repeat a win at this incredible street circuit.

Sergio Perez (2023)

Aided by a safety car, Sergio Perres beat his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen to win the Azerbaijan GP 2023 on Sunday adding it to his Sprint Race win a day before as Red Bull maintained their perfect start to the 2023 season.

Starting in P3 on the grid, Perez benefitted when Alpha Tauri's Nyck de Vries' car slid off the track and led to a safety car situation just after Verstappen had pitted. Once Perez took the lead, he held on to it and ensured a Red Bull win in all of the opening four races of the 2023 season.