live Qatar shoots down Iranian jets: All the latest news on the Iran strikes
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on the compound of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei on Saturday t...
From the deserts of Qatar to the casinos of Monaco, Formula 1 has become a passport to global prestige. But among the lights and legends, Baku has claimed a special place, where speed meets chaos, and the championship can change in a single corner.
Formula 1 isn’t just about speed, it’s a global spectacle of precision engineering, elite competition, and strategic drama. But as the calendar grows and circuits come and go, one city has carved out a reputation for chaos, character, and championship-shaking moments: Baku.
What is Formula 1?
Formula 1 (F1) is the highest class of international single-seater racing, governed by the FIA. Since its inaugural season in 1950, it has grown into the most prestigious motorsport competition in the world.
With 20 drivers representing 10 teams, F1 races are called Grands Prix and are staged across a globe-spanning calendar. Points are awarded to top finishers at each race, with drivers chasing the Drivers’ Championship and teams targeting the Constructors’ title.
F1 is a sport of extremes — where tyres are changed in under two seconds, cars reach speeds of 370 km/h, and drivers endure up to 5G in corners.
Why is it called “Formula” 1?
“Formula” refers to the set of strict technical rules all teams must follow — from engine types to aerodynamic restrictions. The “1” signifies that it is the top tier of formula racing.
How does a Formula 1 weekend work?
A standard race weekend unfolds over three days:
Some weekends include an additional F1 Sprint, a short race offering extra points and a shakeup of the usual format.
How do F1 cars work?
Modern F1 cars are hybrid machines, combining:
Currently, all cars run on E10 fuel (90% petrol, 10% renewable ethanol), but in 2026, the sport will shift to 100% sustainable fuel, marking a major environmental milestone.
Where does Formula 1 race?
The 2025 season features a record 24 races across 21 countries and 5 continents. Here’s a snapshot of its global reach:
Europe – Tradition and prestige
Monaco: The crown jewel of glamour and history
North America – Growth and glitz
Middle East – Modern powerhouses
Bahrain: Hosts the season opener under floodlights
Asia & Oceania – Comebacks and future focus
Amidst this global rotation, Baku has quickly become one of the most talked-about stops on the Formula 1 calendar, and with good reason.
A track like no other
Since its debut in 2016, the Baku City Circuit has become famous for:
Unpredictability is the norm
Baku’s races are known for being chaotic, dramatic, and unforgettable:
In Baku, nothing is certain until the final lap.
Spotlight: 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
The next Baku race takes place from September 19–21, 2025, as Round 17 of the championship.
Key details:
Baku comes after Monza and before Singapore, placing it at a crucial turning point in the title fight.
What’s new this year?
“Baku has become the wild card. You can’t predict it — and that’s why fans love it,” one F1 analyst said recently.
Did you know?
Final takeaway
Formula 1 is more than just racing, it’s a global phenomenon. But nowhere mixes risk, reward, and raw drama quite like Baku. As the sport races into new frontiers, this Caspian gem continues to shine brighter with every season.
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Saudi Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery on Monday following an Iranian drone strike, an industry source told Reuters as Tehran retaliated across the Gulf after a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian targets over the weekend.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on the compound of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei on Saturday that killed him, other family members and senior figures. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. targets in the region.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has moved into a pivotal constitutional role following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, becoming the clerical member of Iran’s temporary leadership council under Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The U.S.-Iran crisis has entered its third day, with further strikes reported across the Middle East and the death toll rising. Oil prices have surged to levels last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, raising fears of economic disruption and higher prices worldwide.
The UK said it's allowing the U.S. to use its bases for defensive strikes against Iran amid escalating missile attacks, after a suspected drone strike hit a British airbase in southern Cyprus, causing limited damage.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
European Union stands with its member states in the face of any threat, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in response to the drone strike that hit Britain's Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in southern Cyprus overnight.
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