12:13
Alonso
Alonso has also been noted for a "false start". He got caught out by Piastri ahead jumping it.
Verstappen leads the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
2025 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Race - As it happened in Baku
How the 2025 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix unfolded
21 Sep 2025
12:13
Lap 4/51
Still under Safety Car conditions: Verstappen, Sainz, Lawson, Antonelli, Russell, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Brotoleto, Stroll, Bearman, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Albon and Ocon.
12:08
Piastri
Replays show Piastri initially jumping the start. He tried to rectify that, which is why he dropped to the back of the grid.
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12:07
Order under the Safety Car
Verstappen, Sainz, Lawson, Antonelli, Russell, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Brotoleto, Stroll, Bearman, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Albon.
12:06
Piastri is out of the race
A nightmare start for Piastri. He's just locked up and now he's out of the race.
He was running at the back at the time.
Safety Car deployed.
12:05
Start
Verstappen leads from Sainz and Lawson. Antonelli remains ahead of Russell and Tsunoda.
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12:03
Here we go then
The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is now underway in Baku.
We will be bringing you lap-by-lap updates throughout the race.
12:00
Formation lap is underway
Verstappen leads the pack away for the formation lap.
11:58
Tyres
Hards for Verstappen, Russell, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Bortoleto, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Gasly and Ocon.
Mediums for everyone else.
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11:43
More on Hadjar's issue
"We think a hydraulic issue, we are just pulling the bodywork off and having a look. We think it might be simple, but if it is not, we don't have much time to fix it."
11:35
Problem for Hadjar
He's reporting "no power" on his way to the grid. It could be an early bath for the RB driver.
11:30
Tyre chat
Pirelli are predicting a one-stop strategy for everyone. Naturally, Safety Cars might impact things.
What are the most likely strategies for the #AzerbaijanGP? What's the difference between the three compounds in terms of grip at the start? And what is the breakdown of tyre sets available to each driver? You can find them here: 👇#F1pic.twitter.com/9wN2MCSVjh
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) September 21, 2025
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11:16
The grid for today
| 2025 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Starting Grid | |||
| Pos | Driver | Nat. | Team |
| 1 | Max Verstappen | NED | Oracle Red Bull Racing |
| 2 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Atlassian Williams Racing |
| 3 | Liam Lawson | NZL | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team |
| 4 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team |
| 5 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team |
| 6 | Yuki Tsunoda | JPN | Oracle Red Bull Racing |
| 7 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren F1 Team |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team |
| 9 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren F1 Team |
| 10 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Scuderia Ferrari HP |
| 11 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team |
| 12 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Scuderia Ferrari HP |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | BRA | Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
| 14 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team |
| 15 | Oliver Bearman | GBR | MoneyGram Haas F1 Team |
| 16 | Franco Colapinto | ARG | BWT Alpine F1 Team |
| 17 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
| 18 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team |
| 19 | Alex Albon | THA | Atlassian Williams Racing |
| 20 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | MoneyGram Haas F1 Team |
11:14
Good morning
Hello everyone and welcome to the Crash.net for race day at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
It's an earlier start than we're used to, with the action getting underway at 12pm UK time - two hours earlier than a typical European race.
Max Verstappen starts on pole position ahead of Williams' Carlos Sainz.
The two title contenders - Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri - start from 7th and 9th respectively.
Max Verstappen
