The F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is always a highly anticipated annual event, attracting millions of fans worldwide with its speed, drama, and top-tier performances. However, this year’s season in Baku made an impression not only with breathtaking races but also with a completely unexpected character: a mischievous kitten that “infiltrated” the paddock area and became the center of attention for the entire F1 community. The story of this cat, along with fascinating behind-the-scenes developments and undisclosed secrets, created a memorable Grand Prix that went far beyond a typical race.

The Accidental Four-Legged Star: The “Famous F1 Cat”

As the roar of engines prepared to echo through the Baku City Circuit, another, much gentler and more adorable story began to unfold. A playful orange kitten managed to sneak into the paddock, the most heavily secured area in Formula 1. The appearance of this small feline not only caused surprise but also created a wave of delight throughout the F1 community, from the drivers to the team staff and the media.

According to Kym Illman, a renowned F1 photographer, the cat quickly won everyone’s affection. Despite an official’s attempt to remove it from the paddock, the kitten was determined to return. It was then picked up by another person, only to reappear minutes later as if nothing had happened. The cat’s persistence and charming demeanor turned it into an unofficial mascot for the race weekend. Illman captured many endearing moments, even finding it curled up inside a Mercedes car for a significant amount of time.

Notably, this wasn’t the first time cats have been spotted at the Baku circuit. Drivers like Charles Leclerc have even mentioned their presence during track sessions. Although the potential danger of animals on the track is always a concern, this particular kitten was remarkably friendly and playful with humans. Many suggested names for the cat, and the most popular consensus was “Ferrari.” The cat was even given a mock “media pass,” making it an indispensable part of the event. One of the most heartwarming moments was when the kitten took a special liking to Steo from the Mercedes team, spending several minutes playing with him before moving on to “meet” other people.

Behind-the-Scenes Surprises: From George Russell’s Absence to Lewis Hamilton’s Security Secrets

Beyond the story of the F1 cat, the Azerbaijan GP was filled with other intriguing developments and behind-the-scenes stories that sparked curiosity.

George Russell’s Sudden Absence: Driver George Russell was absent from the day’s media activities, leading to questions from fans and the press. Initially, his trainer, Elish Kasanovas, tried to suggest that Russell was resting in South Africa. However, Valtteri Bottas revealed on Instagram that he was on the same flight as Russell, fueling speculation. Although no specific reason was given, Russell was expected to be back for FP1. Interestingly, had Russell been unable to race, Bottas was ready to step in, despite having a scheduled commitment for a Mercedes function in Hawaii.

Lewis Hamilton’s Mysterious Media Evasion: One of the most talked-about stories was Lewis Hamilton’s approach to the media at the Azerbaijan GP. Upon arriving at the paddock, Hamilton made a quick detour to avoid the waiting press, walking behind the hospitality suites—a less-than-glamorous route. His security guard even actively blocked camera shots to protect Hamilton’s privacy. Later, as Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were leaving, his guard set up a tape barrier to create more space. Illman also noted Hamilton using one hand, then two, and even swapping hands to shield his face as he walked toward the garage. It was clear that Hamilton was going to extraordinary lengths to avoid being photographed, an unusual move for such a high-profile star.

The Contrast Between Hamilton and Leclerc: In stark contrast to Hamilton, his teammate Charles Leclerc was open and friendly with both the media and the fans. Illman captured Leclerc leaving the Hilton hotel that morning, happily posing for selfies with a small group of waiting fans. The clear difference in how these two drivers interacted with the public painted a fascinating picture of the pressures and image management strategies of F1 stars. It was also noteworthy that Hamilton and Leclerc were staying in different hotels at opposite ends of the paddock, a choice not always common for teammates.

The Return of Angela Cullen: Lewis Hamilton’s fans were also delighted to see the return of Angela Cullen, his performance coach and close confidante, to the paddock. She had been absent for the previous two races, with Kylie Tomich temporarily filling her role. The reunion of this pair is sure to bring stability and necessary support for Hamilton in the upcoming races.

Other Interesting Paddock Stories:

Artist Ollie “Exposed”: Ollie, the artist known for his chalk drawings outside the Red Bull garage, was “caught in the act” by Illman. He joked that he was now like Banksy after being “exposed.” Ollie’s unique talent always brings impressive artwork to each race weekend.
Esteban Ocon’s Special Birthday Cake: A Haas team member brought two boxes of birthday cakes for Esteban Ocon. The cakes were from Port Baku Bazaar, described as a marvelous store in Baku.
Oscar Piastri’s Talented Engineer: Oscar Piastri’s race engineer, Tom Stallard, is a gifted athlete himself, holding an Olympic silver medal in rowing from the 2008 Games.
The World’s Largest Flag: The city of Baku has a new impressive landmark: the world’s largest flag. Measuring 36 by 72 meters and weighing 500 kilograms, it hangs from a 160-meter-tall flagpole, promising to be a prominent feature in the race broadcast.
Initial Organizational Hiccups: Illman noted that some preparations in the paddock were still incomplete in the morning, with containers yet to be moved and rubbish still present. Some commented that this would never have happened in the Bernie Ecclestone era. However, it was expected that everything would be sorted by race day.
The New Marriott Bridge: A new bridge with a transparent floor offering a view of the track below has been constructed to connect the Marriott hotel to the paddock. Although still under construction, it stands as a unique and exciting addition.
Driver’s Leisure Activities: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were spotted participating in a secret photoshoot. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda showed off his cooking skills by preparing a local pastry. Max Verstappen impressed with his magnificent hair, achieved without any special products. In another interesting detail, Yuki’s trainer, John Nunan, carried several balaclavas, each with a unique gold code to track them and prevent theft.
Mini-Golf Challenge: A mini-golf challenge was set up in the paddock, with many drivers taking part. Oscar Piastri was one of the best performers, while Nico Hülkenberg struggled.

This year’s F1 Azerbaijan GP was truly a colorful event, not just for the high-octane action on the track but for the multitude of captivating stories behind the scenes—from an adorable kitten becoming a star to secrets about driver absences and surprising media-dodging maneuvers. All these elements combined to create a vivid and unforgettable panorama of the Formula 1 world, where the off-track narratives are sometimes just as compelling as the race itself.