The Baku City Circuit, a name synonymous with high-octane drama and a penchant for turning the established order upside down, once again lived up to its reputation during the 2025 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. From the moment cars hit the track, it was clear that this weekend would be anything but ordinary, delivering a cocktail of unexpected twists, driver misfortunes, and a qualifying session that will undoubtedly be etched into the annals of F1 history for its sheer pandemonium. As the dust settled on the streets of Baku, a definitive list of winners and losers emerged, each with a story as gripping as the fierce battles witnessed on track.

The lead-up to the Baku Grand Prix was already tinged with an air of intrigue, not least due to peculiar off-track “news” reports that added a layer of surrealism to the impending race. While some focused on potential driver promotions and team changes for 2026, the internet was abuzz with a particularly outlandish claim: Charles Leclerc’s brain data was reportedly stolen by the CCP for military robotics, allegedly via a sports headband designed to train his mind. Though presented with a heavy dose of satire, such bizarre anecdotes only amplified the sense that anything could happen, both inside and outside the confines of the circuit. This lighthearted, albeit strange, pre-race chatter set the stage for a weekend where the unpredictable reigned supreme.

Free Practice sessions provided the initial tremors of what was to come. Friday’s FP1 saw minor incidents, including a red flag caused by an object left on track and several drivers, notably Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton, making unwelcome contact with the unforgiving Baku walls. While these incidents were seemingly routine for a street circuit, they hinted at a underlying fragility. FP2 then escalated the drama significantly. McLaren, a team already under scrutiny following controversial team orders at Monza that sparked widespread internet debate about Oscar Piastri’s championship prospects, seemed to unravel completely. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri hit the walls, prematurely ending their sessions and cementing what the paddock observers described as an “abysmal” performance. This surprising lack of pace and composure from a front-running team suggested deep-seated issues that would continue to plague them throughout the weekend. Amidst McLaren’s woes, Ferrari briefly shone, topping the timesheets in FP2, offering a glimmer of hope for the Scuderia.

However, it was Saturday’s qualifying session that truly descended into a theatrical masterpiece of chaos, making the Baku Grand Prix an instant classic for all the wrong reasons. Overnight rain transformed the track, resetting the challenge for every driver and team. Q1, meant to be a straightforward affair, became a war of attrition, punctuated by an unprecedented three red flags. Alex Albon, eager to prove himself, was the first to bring out the red, followed by Nico Hülkenberg, and then a confusing incident involving Pierre Gasly and Callum Ilott (referred to as Colin Pinto in the broadcast) both getting stuck in the runoff at the same corner. This sequence of events consumed a staggering 40 minutes, testing the patience of fans and teams alike.

Just when sanity seemed a remote possibility, Q2 began with yet another red flag, pushing the qualifying session into a frustrating crawl. The commentator, clearly exasperated, jokingly described blacking out during Q2, implying nothing of consequence occurred, a testament to the drawn-out and disruptive nature of the session. As Q3 commenced, a light rain began to fall, not enough for intermediate tires but just enough to inject further uncertainty. The first runs saw a surprising provisional pole for Carlos Sainz, with the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and Isaac hot on his heels. But the drama was far from over. A sixth red flag was deployed, reportedly for Piastri crashing with mere minutes left on the clock. This singular event transformed the final three minutes into a do-or-die shootout, a “golden ticket” opportunity for Lando Norris. With one shot at pole, Norris pushed hard but struggled with grip, ultimately finishing a disappointing seventh. In a stunning turn of events, Max Verstappen, in characteristic fashion, snatched pole position at the very last moment, pushing Liam Lawson to second. The commentator highlighted the bizarre irony of Max taking pole from a Williams (referring to Lawson’s Racing Bull, a Red Bull junior team) at the line after such a chaotic session, for the second time in his career, stating, “If I had a nickel for every time Max took pole away from Williams right at the line after a crazy qualifying session, I would have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but still weird it happened twice.” This qualifying session alone cemented the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix as an instant legend of unpredictability.

Race day, by some miracle, began without delay. Lap one, however, quickly delivered its own brand of disaster, particularly for Oscar Piastri. Starting P9 after his qualifying crash, Piastri committed a cardinal sin: he jumped the start, stalled on the grid, and then crashed before even completing half a lap, all on his own accord. This catastrophic error was a devastating blow to his championship campaign, allowing rival Lando Norris to gain significant ground. The early laps saw intense wheel-to-wheel action, with cars closely bunched together, but as the race wore on, a familiar pattern emerged: a dominant Max Verstappen leading comfortably. Despite initial hopes for rain to spice things up, the conditions remained consistent, and the race settled into a predictable rhythm towards the end. The final ten laps saw battles for fifth between Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris, and a tussle for third between Carlos Sainz and Kimmi. Ultimately, Max Verstappen secured a dominant victory, followed by George Russell in second, and a triumphant Carlos Sainz, who delivered Williams their first podium of the season.

The Winners and Losers of Baku:

Losers:

Leading the list of losers, undoubtedly, was Alpine. Their weekend was nothing short of a catastrophe, a steady descent into despair. Despite appearing adequate in practice, their performance regressed significantly, culminating in both cars crashing simultaneously in separate incidents during qualifying. This dismal display, following the news of Pierre Gasly’s renewal and Jack Doohan (referred to as Colinto) being locked in for 2026, raised serious questions about the team’s direction. With a mere 20 points and firmly rooted at the bottom of the constructors’ standings, Alpine’s season looks “cooked,” with little hope for improvement.

Oscar Piastri also endured a nightmare weekend. Comfortably leading the championship by 31 points before Baku, his qualifying crash and, more significantly, his first-lap race disaster – jumping the start, stalling, and crashing – allowed Lando Norris to chip away at his lead. The commentator emphasized the critical need for Piastri to avoid such mistakes, particularly in unforgiving circuits like Singapore, which offer no room for recovery. His performance earned him the dubious title of “bottler of the week.”

Esteban Ocon of Haas also found himself in the loser’s column. Lately, Ocon has been displaying a concerning carelessness, frequently being outperformed by his teammate Ollie, even when the latter made mistakes. Despite a strong start to the season, the past six weekends have seen Ocon struggling with errors or a lack of pace, a worrying trend given Ollie’s accumulating grid penalties for minor infringements.

Finally, Alex Albon had a race weekend he’d rather forget. Described as “ass slow” in practice, with a poor qualifying and an equally uninspiring race, this marked a significant deviation from his otherwise fantastic season. While his talent is undeniable, Baku was a stark reminder that even the best can have off weekends, especially when compared to the unexpected success of Carlos Sainz in a Williams.

Winners:

At the apex of the winners’ circle was Red Bull, personified by the sheer dominance of Max Verstappen. In a weekend defined by crashes and slippery conditions, Verstappen remained a paragon of consistency, keeping his car on track and securing a commanding victory. This marked his second consecutive win, cementing his championship charge. The commentator expressed a paradoxical sentiment, calling upon Red Bull, “once our oppressors,” to “save us now,” highlighting Verstappen’s unparalleled skill in a field seemingly succumbing to chaos.

Mercedes also emerged as a winner, showcasing a rare moment of genuine competitiveness. George Russell, battling what was described as a “bubonic plague-like” illness, delivered a remarkably strong performance throughout the weekend, proving his mettle. His teammate, Kimmi, also looked “generally good,” leading to smiles in the Mercedes garage. The team’s resurgence in Baku offered a hopeful sign for future races, despite the looming challenge of Singapore, a track that has historically presented them with unique difficulties.

Racing Bulls, specifically Liam Lawson and Isaac, had a stellar weekend, bouncing back strongly from a disappointing Monza. Both drivers were “fast as hell” and, crucially, kept their races clean, securing valuable points. This performance came amidst rumors of Liam Lawson potentially being sacked, which the commentator dismissed as nonsensical given his strong showing. The Red Bull junior team’s collective effort demonstrated their potential and stability.

However, the undeniable MVP of the weekend was Carlos Sainz Jr. of Williams. After what had been, in the commentator’s words, an “ass” season, Sainz transformed in Baku. He nearly snatched pole position amidst the qualifying mayhem, a feat that, while aided by circumstances, should not be discredited. In the race, he fought tirelessly, ultimately securing a sensational third place, delivering Williams their first podium of the season. His gritty performance was a testament to his talent and determination, proving that even in a challenging season, a single weekend can redefine a driver’s narrative.

The 2025 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be remembered not just for Max Verstappen’s dominant win, but for the relentless chaos that preceded it and the unexpected heroes and villains it produced. It was a race that had moments of boredom but was ultimately defined by its dramatic twists, serving as a powerful reminder of Baku’s unique ability to deliver the utterly unpredictable. As the paddock now looks towards the Singapore Grand Prix, the memory of Baku’s pandemonium will surely linger, a cautionary tale and an exhilarating precedent all at once.