Eight points difference, that’s all. This weekend in the streets of Baku, the scene of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Red Bull could for the first time in more than two years lose the lead in the constructors’ championship to McLaren, or even Ferrari.
And what if the time had also come for the team of reigning champion Max Verstappen to come down from its pedestal? On the eve of the 17e race (out of 24) of the season, the Austrian team is under pressure since in the last five rounds, it has only scored 91 points – where McLaren has scored 170 thanks to the victories of its drivers Lando Norris (in the Netherlands) and Oscar Piastri (in Hungary).
“We have a car that is competitive in all situations and two excellent drivers who regularly score good points for the team,” said McLaren boss Andrea Stella.
Solid performances that could allow him to retake the reins of the constructors’ championship this weekend – since up to 44 points will be at stake during the traditional Sunday meeting.
In the drivers’ championship, Verstappen still maintains a comfortable lead of 62 points but sees the return of his runner-up Norris, whom McLaren will now favour to the detriment of Piastri in an attempt to secure his first F1 title.
The last round, in Monza, Italy, at the beginning of September, “was difficult [Verstappen a terminé 6e] and our priority is to get back into shape,” admitted the reigning champion, whose last victory dates back to June, at the Spanish GP. “We are trying to solve [les problèmes]it just takes a little time,” he also conceded.
Ferrari in the running
Red Bull, who have won the last three editions of the Azerbaijan GP, will also be able to count on their other driver, Sergio Perez, who holds the record for victories (two) on the circuit.
The Mexican has not won since April 2023 — in Baku, to be precise — and is having a difficult season. He is only 7e in the championship, 160 points behind his team-mate Verstappen – but hopes to get back into the race with eight rounds remaining in the season.
“Street circuits suit my riding style,” said Perez. “It will also be interesting to see how the RB20 [la monoplace 2024 de Red Bull] reacts there.”
However, beware of Ferrari, which arrives in Azerbaijan pumped up by the victory of its driver Charles Leclerc at home in Italy, after the recent developments made to the SF-24. A success which allowed the Scuderia, 3e of the championship, to return to 39 points from Red Bull in the general classification.
“We are determined to continue on this path,” assured Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur, who nevertheless anticipates “a close fight between the top four teams” in the championship.
Also, Leclerc recalled on Thursday, “we were often strong on Saturday in Baku, but on Sunday we also often had trouble with tire management – that is however one of our strengths this year.” The Monegasque has signed the last three poles of the Azerbaijan GP but has never won there yet.
150e F1 GP for Ocon
In addition to the top three forces on the board, a performance by Mercedes, 4e overall, is also not to be ruled out in the streets of the Azeri capital, where the outcome can be unpredictable (five different winners in six GPs contested since 2017).
The German team, whose last victory dates back to the end of July in Belgium, hopes to get closer to the leading group, particularly Ferrari who are 115 points behind them.
“We are going to Baku with the aim of achieving a better performance than in Zandvoort. [lors du GP des Pays-Bas] and Monza,” admitted Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. “Our pace there was not as high as before the summer break. [après le GP de Belgique] and several of our competitors have taken a step forward.”
Alpine will once again try to get things back on track after another disappointing weekend in Italy for French drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, who will take his 150e start in the elite Sunday at 1 p.m.