Formula One Baku Grand Prix draws record 90,000 spectators

Nearly 90,000 people attended the Formula One Grand Prix weekend in Baku, organisers said, setting a record for the event. The figure includes race fans at the track, pit lane visitors, fan zones and concerts.

More than 14,000 tourists travelled to Azerbaijan for the race, in addition to about 300 accredited local and international media representatives.

The weekend also marked the extension of Baku’s Formula One contract until 2030. Organisers said the race has become a key fixture for both Azerbaijan’s tourism sector and Formula One’s global calendar.

The event saw six red flags during qualifying, the most in the sport’s history, extending the session by nearly an hour. Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position in Baku and went on to win the race after championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed on the opening lap. George Russell finished second and Carlos Sainz third.

Authorities said traffic restrictions in central Baku were lifted just 12 hours after the podium ceremony, the fastest reopening since the city began hosting Formula One in 2016.