The Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025 is set to be the next exciting street race in the F1 2025 calendar as round 17, and we are so ready for it. Held on the Baku City Circuit, the race is scheduled from September 19 to 21. This weekend will feature practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, qualifying on Saturday afternoon, and the main race on Sunday, September 21, starting at 3:00 PM local time (Baku).
The race is all set to be a thrilling two-pit stop strategy because of the tyres Pirelli has selected for the weekend. So what tyres will the teams have and what are the possibilities? Let’s see.
So, What Tires Will The Teams Have In The Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025?
Tire-wise, Pirelli is bringing its softest compounds for the race. Drivers will have the C6 soft tyre (the softest in the range) alongside the C5 medium and C4 hard tyres. This softer selection is a step down compared to last year, when harder tyres were used. The choice is tailored to Baku’s low-grip, high-wear street surface, which, combined with long straights where cars reach very high speeds, places significant vertical loads on the tyres.
Why The Soft Compounds?
The softer tyres open up the possibility for a two-stop strategy, making the race more tactical and potentially more unpredictable. Last year’s harder tyres favoured a one-stop race, but this year, thanks to less graining and improved tyre management skills shown by teams, the race strategy is expected to be more nuanced. Teams and drivers will need to carefully balance tyre life against outright speed, especially on a track known for its high-speed straights and tricky corners around the old city walls.
As Pirelli announced, “On a street circuit with low levels of grip and wear, bringing the same selection as in 2024 would inevitably have led to a one-stop strategy,” reads Pirelli’s preview. “At least this way, considering that this year’s range suffers much less from graining, it opens up the possibility of a two-stop strategy.”
“Moreover, it is clear that this year, most recently at Monza, the teams and drivers have become adept at managing the tyres well, so that the race is unlikely to see very different strategies. Although it’s a street track, Baku has some very long straights – where the cars hit very high top speeds – that place significant vertical loads on the tyres.”
So, get ready for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025, which promises thrilling city-circuit racing with a strategic battle for Pirelli’s softest tyre set.
Also read: Can McLaren Win Constructors’ Championship 2025 In Azerbaijan Grand Prix
