Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva watched main race of Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The main race of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was held at the Baku City Circuit on September 26.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and members of their family attended the race.

The 10th anniversary edition of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix got underway on September 24. More than 17,000 international fans were able to watch the Formula 1 races live from the grandstands. A total of 11 teams, each fielding two drivers, competed in the Grand Prix.

The teams took part in two free practice sessions on the opening day. The drivers then continued their battle in qualifying, with Mercedes driver George Russell securing pole position on the 6-kilometre Baku City Circuit and earning the right to start the main race from the front of the grid. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc qualified second, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured third place.

In the main race on September 26, the drivers completed 51 laps of the Baku City Circuit over two hours. Mercedes driver George Russell took victory, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finishing second and his team-mate Isack Hadjar taking third.

Azerbaijan has now hosted a Formula 1 race for the 10th time. The inaugural event, held in 2016 under the name European Grand Prix, was won by Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg. From the following year, the race was renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.