The official Formula 1 website marked the tenth anniversary of the Baku City Circuit with a roundup of the most memorable off-track moments—from a cat that captured the paddock and Fernando Alonso’s carpet weaving to Sebastian Vettel’s traditional Azerbaijani arakhchyn.
According to Report, citing Formula 1, the feature marks Formula 1’s 10th visit to the streets of Baku, a historic city that has become a familiar venue on the championship calendar.
The Cat—Star of the Paddock
During the 2025 Grand Prix, a cat in the paddock attracted the attention of drivers, teams and fans. Teams eagerly filmed the animal for their social media accounts. Mercedes arranged an exclusive photoshoot, naming him “Kitty Antonelli,” while Ferrari suggested “Furradi.”
The Azerbaijani National Anthem and Smiling Drivers
Another memorable moment was the performance of the Azerbaijani National Anthem by young participants during the 2025 pre-race ceremony. The children sang with such emotion that George Russell and Lando Norris couldn’t hold back their smiles. Lewis Hamilton even pulled out his phone to record the performance.
Racing Along the Walls of Icherisheher
One of the Baku City Circuit’s signatures remains the section along the walls of the Icherisheher fortress. Turn 8, at just 7.6 metres wide, is the narrowest point on the Formula 1 calendar. After navigating the winding turns of the second sector, drivers flash past the medieval walls of the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The blend of modern racing cars and centuries-old architecture creates one of the championship’s most striking views.
“Well Done, Baku!”
The phrase ‘Well done, Baku’ became widely associated with former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo. It first appeared on banners during the circuit’s debut stage—the 2016 European Grand Prix. Ricciardo later repeated the phrase on numerous occasions, and over time, it became a running favorite among drivers and teams.
The Australian’s victory in Baku in 2017 is considered one of the best of his career. Following an early pit stop, he dropped to 17th place but managed to slice through the field to win an event-packed race. On the podium, Ricciardo celebrated his victory in signature fashion by drinking champagne from his racing boot. He convinced Lance Stroll to join him—Stroll, then driving for Williams, had secured his first career podium. At the time, Stroll became the youngest rookie to finish on the podium.
Global Showbiz Stars
Over the past decade, many famous musicians have attended the Baku race. Several came to perform at the evening concerts hosted for fans. Grand Prix guests have included Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Enrique Iglesias, Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay, and J Balvin.
Last season, Dutch DJ Martin Garrix—a friend of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris—also visited Baku. He was entrusted with waving the checkered flag at the finish line.
Colapinto and His Go-To Yerba Mate
For Franco Colapinto, the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was only his second race after joining the Williams main driver lineup mid-season. It was in Baku that spectators first noticed the Argentine driver’s habit of arriving in the paddock with mate. Colapinto was seen carrying a leather-wrapped cup with a metal straw. He explained that mate is a caffeine-rich herbal infusion made from the dried leaves and stems of the yerba mate plant. Afterward, he was frequently spotted carrying it on his way to the paddock and garage, usually alongside a sticker-adorned water bottle.
Fernando Alonso and Azerbaijani Carpets
Ahead of the inaugural Baku race in 2016, Fernando Alonso became an official ambassador for the city circuit. The two-time champion immersed himself in local traditions, trying his hand at carpet weaving at the Azer Ilme center. There, he was gifted an Azerbaijani carpet and later received a mountain bike, which he used to explore the city.
The Best Seats—On the Balconies
The circuit’s location right in the heart of the capital offers unique vantage points for certain spectators. Beyond the grandstands, fans can watch the action from the balconies of apartments overlooking the track. Last year, one fan recorded the scene from above at the exact moment Oscar Piastri crashed into the barrier on the opening lap. Following his retirement from the race, the McLaren driver walked back to the paddock on foot, taking in the urban scenery surrounding the circuit along the way.
Sebastian Vettel’s Arakhchyn
At the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel secured the final podium finish of his Formula 1 career. After the finish, the four-time world champion stepped out of the drivers’ cooldown room wearing not only the traditional Pirelli cap, but also an arakhchyn—a traditional Azerbaijani headpiece. The gesture paid tribute to the local culture and made Vettel’s 122nd Formula 1 podium particularly memorable. It was also the first podium in the history of the Aston Martin team.
Sainz and Leclerc’s Unplanned Road Trip
In the hours after the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, former Ferrari teammates Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc found themselves on an unexpected road trip. Bad weather prevented their plane from landing in Nice, so the drivers decided to hire a van and drive home to Monte Carlo from Italy. Sainz had just secured his first podium for Williams.