Max Verstappen arrives at the Baku City Circuit for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scheduled from September 24 to 26. The Red Bull driver aims to secure his third victory at the demanding street circuit this weekend.
Verstappen’s history at Baku has been marked by both triumph and significant incidents. His maiden win at the circuit came in 2022, achieved on his sixth attempt at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
He followed this with a dominant performance in 2025, securing his second victory. That race saw him start from pole position and lead every lap to complete a Grand Slam.
However, the Baku City Circuit has also been the scene of notable setbacks for the Dutchman. In 2018, a collision with then-teammate Daniel Ricciardo resulted in both Red Bull cars retiring from the race.
Both drivers received reprimands from the stewards for their part in the incident, which occurred during an intense battle for position. This highlighted the aggressive nature of the street circuit.
Another significant retirement occurred in 2021 when Verstappen suffered a high-speed tyre failure while leading the Grand Prix. His Red Bull speared into the wall on lap 46.
Pirelli’s subsequent investigation into the 2021 incident concluded there were no manufacturing defects. The tyre failures were attributed to the running conditions, despite teams adhering to prescribed parameters.
Red Bull Racing has generally performed strongly in Baku. Teammate Sergio Pérez has also achieved success, securing victories at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in both 2021 and 2023.
The upcoming 2026 event offers Verstappen another opportunity to add to his win tally. He will aim for a clean weekend to further solidify his record at this unpredictable venue.
