Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Prediction: Can Leclerc win two in a row?

After an exciting race in Monza, Formula 1 returns to the challenging street circuit in Baku. McLaren and Red Bull are entering a close fight, while Ferrari and Mercedes are lurking for a chance to return to the top of Formula 1. The drivers last raced here 16 months ago, and now they return with added pressure in the battle for crucial points as the season enters its final third. The track in Baku requires special preparation because it combines long straights with very slow turns, which requires a perfect aerodynamic balance.

For the first time in the history of Formula 1, a car race took place in Azerbaijan (2016), specifically on the streets of the capital, Baku. Although the Grand Prix did not bear the name of that country, it was called the European Grand Prix, but the new race on the calendar certainly caused great interest and expanded the influence of Formula 1. Azerbaijan is only the second race to be held in the country of the former USSR after Russia, which hosted for the first time in 2014 in Sochi, and only the third race behind the former Iron Curtain (Hungary is the first). The new street circuit is called Baku City Circuit and runs through the center of Baku, and the configuration was designed by the famous German F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke. Although his circuits are very similar to each other, this one will be something special because of the city environment.

Sergio Perez is the only driver to win here more than once. The Mexican won in Baku in 2021 and 2023, the latter also winning the sprint, proving that he has an affinity for this type of track, as six of his seven Formula 1 wins have come on street circuits. If Checo is the king of Baku, Charles Leclerc can be said to be its prince as the Monegasque has secured pole position for the last four years from 2021 to 2024 and was also the fastest in sprint qualifying last year. When it comes to the teams, the roles are reversed, Red Bull has the most wins (four) but no pole positions, while Ferrari has five poles, one of which is thanks to Sebastian Vettel, but has never won.

Charles Leclerc says there is no magic answer to his brilliance in Baku after claiming a fourth consecutive pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Monza winner bounced back from the crash in the first session in Baku to put Ferrari back in pole position, having done so for the past three years. The Monegasque was not able to turn any of those previous fastest laps into a race win because he did not have a competitive enough car, while now things are completely different. Piastri will start second in front of Sainz and Perez. Verstappen will start from the 6th position while Norris from the 16th.

Ferrari is showing strength again, while Red Bull and McLaren are trying to figure out what is happening and trying to keep good form. Norris got all the support from the team, which was officially announced by McLaren, but he disappoint in the qualifications same as Verstappen in his Red Bull. However, I think that Verstappen is in a good position to start well and finish in the top 3 in Baku.

OUR PREDICTION: Max Verstappen in top 3