Which Driver Has Won The Most Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Sergio Pérez is the most successful driver at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with two race victories to his name. The Mexican has shown a unique ability to thrive on Baku’s unforgiving street circuit, turning its long straights and tight castle section into opportunities where others often falter.

By the time Pérez returns to Formula 1 in 2026, he will be 36 years old, yet his record at Baku already stands as a defining part of his career. Known affectionately as “Checo,” he has built a reputation for staying calm in races filled with chaos, making him the man to beat on the streets of Azerbaijan.

His results in Baku are more than statistics; they are reminders to rivals, young and experienced alike, that Pérez and this circuit share a special connection…

What is Sergio Perez’s record at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

As of now, Pérez has six career Formula 1 wins, two of which came in Baku. At first glance, that number might not sound extraordinary, but when you consider who else has raced here, the achievement stands out. Neither Hamilton, Alonso, Verstappen, nor McLaren’s young stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have ever won in Azerbaijan.

The first race at the venue came in 2016, when it was still branded the European Grand Prix, and since then Baku has produced countless memorable moments: dramatic crashes, late safety cars, and unexpected podiums. Yet only one man has managed to tame its streets more than once — Sergio Pérez.

His victories underline his ability to survive races where others crumble. In a place where split-second mistakes can end a driver’s afternoon against a wall, Pérez’s patience and timing have made the difference.

Pérez’s Wins at Baku

His first Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory came in 2021, a race filled with incident and tension. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen retired after a high-speed tyre failure, opening the door for Pérez to take control. He held off a late charge from four-time champion Sebastian Vettel in an Aston Martin, with Pierre Gasly finishing third for AlphaTauri. It was a win that showcased Pérez’s trademark composure under pressure.

Two years later, in 2023, he struck again. This time, he beat his teammate Verstappen outright, crossing the line more than two seconds clear. The race was incident-heavy as usual, but Pérez managed his tyres, strategy, and pace to perfection. In doing so, he confirmed what many suspected: Baku is his circuit.

The Broader Career Context

Much of Pérez’s career has been about playing the supporting role. From his days at Force India and Racing Point to his current time with Red Bull, he has often been cast as the teammate rather than the headline act. Yet moments like his Baku triumphs prove why he is more than a supporting player.

He has been called the “Minister of Defence” for his ability to hold off faster cars, a title earned most famously at Abu Dhabi in 2021 when he stalled Hamilton’s charge, helping Verstappen secure the title. In Baku, that defensive instinct blends with opportunism, turning chaos into victory.

What makes his Azerbaijan record even more remarkable is that he has never started a race there from pole.

Why Pérez and Baku Are Linked

Baku’s character is unlike any other Formula 1 circuit. It combines the long straights of Monza with the tight, twisting castle section that resembles Monaco. The track punishes mistakes brutally yet rewards drivers who can stay calm when others push too hard.

For Pérez, this blend of unpredictability and technical challenge has brought out the best in him. His career has often been about persistence and making the most of opportunities. In Baku, those qualities translate into victories that even some of the sport’s greatest champions have failed to achieve.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has seen its share of chaos, crashes, and unexpected results, but when the dust settles one name appears more than any other: Sergio Pérez. Two wins may not seem like dominance, but in a venue where legends have stumbled, they mark him out as Baku’s most successful driver to date.

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Written by

Dev Tyagi

Black, Parabolica, Monza, Maranello, Toothpicks, Fast, Ferrari, Sainz, Kimilainen, Bellucci, Barrymore, Shai Hope, du Preez, Summers; not winters, Salzburg, Camel, Jaipur, Tea without sugar, Chivalry, Netaji, Simplicity, Deutschland, Allahabad, Ethan Hunt, not 007, Swades, Rommel and Dravid!

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