The Formula 1 circus lands in Baku for Round 17 of the 2025 season, with storylines as vibrant as the city’s blend of old and new. Two weeks ago at Monza, Max Verstappen stunned the papaya-clad McLarens to claim a dominant victory for Red Bull. Meanwhile, McLaren’s own intra-team drama stole headlines: a late-race swap between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris underscored the team’s commitment to fairness in a fierce title fight. Ferrari left their home race disappointed without a podium, despite Charles Leclerc finishing a close fourth for the Tifosi. As we head to the unique high-speed streets of Baku, every team is grappling with the fallout from Monza and eyeing a strong finish to the season.

The Baku City Circuit itself promises unpredictability. This 6.0 km street track features a mix of 90-degree city corners and a 2.2 km flat-out blast along the Caspian Sea front straight. It’s one of Formula 1's most unique circuits, threading through the tight medieval “Old Town” castle section barely 7.6 meters wide while skirting a UNESCO heritage site. Races here tend to be either chaotic thrillers or strategic chess matches. The walls are unforgiving and safety cars are common, meaning fortunes can swing in an instant. As Fernando Alonso puts it, Baku is “full of challenges” where drivers “cannot afford any mistakes.” Last year’s Azerbaijan GP illustrated the drama Baku can produce, Oscar Piastri took his maiden F1 victory. With mixed weather forecast this weekend (sunny Friday, cooler with a chance of light rain on race day), the stage is set for another unpredictable showdown in the Land of Fire.

Championship Landscape: Tight at the Top

The 2025 championship has boiled down to a duel between McLaren’s young superstars. Oscar Piastri leads the drivers’ standings with a 31-point advantage over teammate Lando Norris. The two have been the class of the field, McLaren’s resurgence has yielded the lion’s share of wins from the first 16 races. Their intra-team rivalry intensified after Monza, where a slow pit stop dropped Norris behind Piastri, leading team orders to swap their positions back “to the positions that we had before the pit stops,” according to Team Principal Andrea Stella. Stella emphasized that this late swap “showed the values and principles we have at McLaren,” restoring Norris to second place and trimming Piastri’s lead. With eight Grands Prix remaining, McLaren walks a delicate tightrope in managing two title contenders, both drivers insist the team’s approach has been fair, and they remain aligned on when swaps are appropriate.

Behind the McLaren duo, Max Verstappen sits third. The four-time world champion’s title hopes are slim, he’s nearly a century behind Piastri, but Verstappen remains a potent force on race day. He reminded everyone of that by seizing his third win of the season at Monza with a better-than-expected performance. Red Bull’s star is effectively racing as a spoiler and prideful champion now, aiming to add more wins even if the championship is a long shot. George Russell is fourth in the standings, having quietly led Mercedes’ scoring all year. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have slipped to fifth and sixth. It’s unfamiliar territory for Hamilton, the seven-time champ’s first season in red has yielded fewer points than his teammate, partly due to reliability woes and a mid-season slump for Ferrari. Nonetheless, Hamilton's fourth-place finish at the British Grand Prix and Leclerc's consistency have kept Ferrari in the hunt for P2 in the Constructors'.

Speaking of which, McLaren holds a gargantuan lead in the Constructors' Championship. While they can't mathematically clinch the title this weekend, they are on course to seal back-to-back team titles if results continue to go their way. Ferrari sit P2 by virtue of steady points scoring, despite zero wins in 2025, and are best of the rest. Just behind them, Mercedes are pushing to overtake Ferrari for the runner-up spot. Red Bull lurks in an uncharacteristic fourth, paying the price for an inconsistent second car. The midfield fight is ferocious: Williams remarkably holds fifth in the standings, ahead of Aston Martin, Racing Bulls, Sauber and Haas in a tight cluster. Alpine has fallen to a distant tenth after a disastrous season. Every point will count in these final races as teams jostle for millions in prize money and momentum into next year.

Before diving into each team's prospects for Baku, a quick look at tires and strategy: Pirelli have brought a softer selection of tires (C4, C5, and C6 compounds) for this year's race, a move that could open up more strategic options. A one-stop race is expected if conditions stay normal, but a timely Safety Car can open the window for a “free” pit stop, something more than half the races here have featured. Keep an eye on qualifying tactics as well; with the pit straight’s huge tow effect, drivers may jockey for slipstreams, and out-lap tire prep will be crucial on Baku’s low-grip surface. Now, let’s examine each team’s form and news as we enter the Azerbaijan GP weekend.

McLaren: Intra-Team Battle at 200 MPH

McLaren arrive in Baku as the dominant force of 2025. Their MCL39 has adapted to every circuit on the calendar. Their dominance puts them in a commanding position to clinch the constructors’ title soon, which would make it two titles in two years after breaking a 26-year drought last season. The only thing more impressive than McLaren’s car is its driver pairing: Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are the only two drivers left in the title fight. Both have handled the pressure of a head-to-head championship duel with maturity, but sparks have inevitably flown. We saw a flashpoint at the Hungarian GP earlier in the summer, Norris was instructed to hand back a position to Piastri for the win, after undercutting him in the pits, in order to honor a pre-race agreement. Norris initially bristled (“Well, you should have pitted him first,” he quipped on team radio), but ultimately yielded, securing Piastri’s maiden victory and a McLaren 1-2. That set a precedent of team-first ethos despite the drivers’ personal ambitions.

Fast forward to Monza, and McLaren found itself in a similar dilemma. This time it was Norris who lost out in the pits, a slow stop dropped him behind Piastri late in the race. Rather than let an unlucky pit sequence dictate the finishing order, team boss Andrea Stella swiftly ordered Piastri to swap back and give Norris P2. Stella explained it was “the fair thing to do” after Norris’s delayed service, restoring the pre-pit positions and underlining McLaren’s values. The decision, he insisted, was not any kind of payback for an earlier incident, it was purely about fairness on the day. Piastri, for his part, accepted the call without protest, just as Norris had eventually done in Hungary. Both drivers have repeatedly said they trust the team’s judgment and will continue to race hard but clean. “We just stick to the principles and approach we have in the way we go racing,” Stella noted, emphasizing the internal alignment after many frank conversations post-Hungary.

On track, McLaren remain the team to beat. Piastri actually won last year’s Azerbaijan GP (his first F1 win) and will be confident around the streets of Baku. Norris has been in scintillating form, though he faced heartbreak at Zandvoort where he had to retire from a strong position. Meanwhile, Piastri took the victory there, further showcasing the team's strength and his own growth into a genuine championship-caliber driver. The only concern for McLaren might be straight-line speed: at the low-drag Monza circuit, Red Bull had the upper hand. Baku’s layout, with its 2km full-throttle stretch, could similarly reduce McLaren’s usual downforce advantage. Still, the team has continually brought updates to stay ahead; their “level playing field” policy off-track hasn’t stopped them from relentlessly developing the car. All eyes will be on how McLaren manages its two chargers if they find themselves running 1-2 on Sunday. With Piastri holding a healthy points lead, will Norris be allowed to take risks to go for the win? Or will the team prioritize a safe double-podium and points haul? Given their ethos, expect McLaren to let them race freely unless a swap is clearly needed, but any decision will be scrutinized. Championship focus with teamwork, that’s the McLaren mantra right now.

Red Bull: Chasing Redemption and a Rebuild

For Red Bull Racing, 2025 has been a humbling season of transition. After years of setting the pace, the team currently sits only fourth in the Constructors’. Max Verstappen has still dazzled, his masterclass win at Monza was his third victory this year, but the RB21 car hasn’t consistently challenged the McLarens on all track types. More significantly, Red Bull’s notorious “second seat” saga continues. Sergio Pérez departed the team at the end of 2024, prompting Red Bull to promote junior Liam Lawson alongside Verstappen for the start of 2025. Lawson’s stint lasted just two Grands Prix before he was demoted back to the sister team amid underperformance. Yuki Tsunoda was then drafted into the top team from Round 3 onward, marking the second mid-season driver swap in as many years for Red Bull. Unfortunately for Red Bull, Tsunoda has fared little better so far, struggling to consistently finish in the top ten. Both Lawson and Tsunoda have shown flashes of speed but also errors under the spotlight of partnering Verstappen, highlighting why the role of Max’s teammate is often called a poisoned chalice in F1.

Amid this driver turmoil, Red Bull underwent a shock leadership change over the summer. Long-time Team Principal Christian Horner stepped aside in July, and in a surprise move, Laurent Mekies was promoted from the junior team to become Red Bull’s new boss. Mekies had only just begun leading the rebranded “Racing Bulls” in 2024, but Red Bull’s higher management entrusted him to steer the senior outfit through its rebuilding phase. Insiders say Mekies is approaching the 2026 driver conundrum with caution. Despite a recent report claiming 20-year-old rookie Isack Hadjar (currently impressing at the Bulls junior team) was already signed to partner Verstappen in 2026, multiple reputable outlets say no decision has been made. “If you look at it from Red Bull’s point of view, it’s hard to see why we would be in a hurry to make this decision,” Mekies said, indicating the team is in no rush to lock in a driver too early. Hadjar is indeed a favorite for the seat, but Red Bull is carefully evaluating all scenarios, they don’t want to repeat past mistakes with young talent by promoting someone before they’re ready. The history is sobering: Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon both struggled alongside Max and were moved elsewhere, only to rebuild their careers successfully at rival teams. The team seems determined not to burn another bright prospect. Hadjar himself downplayed the swirling rumors in Baku, saying he “really doesn’t care” about media speculation and that nothing is set in stone yet.

For now, Verstappen and Tsunoda carry Red Bull’s hopes into Azerbaijan. The good news: Baku’s characteristics should suit the RB21’s strengths. The car still boasts excellent straight-line speed and aerodynamic efficiency, a key reason Verstappen was able to fly at Monza, leaving others far adrift. Verstappen also has unfinished business at Baku; he famously lost a likely win here in 2021 due to a tire blowout and is a past winner, having conquered this circuit in 2022. He’ll be extra motivated to capitalize on any McLaren slip-up. As for Tsunoda, this race is another chance to prove himself. The team publicly insists they have confidence in Yuki, but his seat for 2026 (even 2025) is far from secure. Rumors suggest Red Bull will decide on their future lineup by the end of October during the Austin/Mexico rounds. A strong points finish or aiding Max in a strategic race could bolster Tsunoda’s case. Conversely, any misstep will fuel speculation that one of the juniors (Hadjar or perhaps a returning Lawson) will get the nod. Keep an eye on internal dynamics: Red Bull won’t implement team orders in a championship fight this year, but they may deploy them to secure a race win if Verstappen is battling a McLaren and Tsunoda happens to be ahead. In summary, Red Bull are treating 2025 as a rebuilding year, yet they still crave victories. Baku’s long stretches give them a genuine shot to upset McLaren again. As Mekies settles in at the helm, a victory here would be a welcome morale boost as the team looks to regain its former dominance.

Ferrari: Hunting for Pace and Consistency

Ferrari’s season has been a rollercoaster of early promise and subsequent frustration. The Scuderia came out of winter testing looking like the closest match to McLaren’s pace. In fact, there were hints of a resurgence, Ferrari challenged for wins in the spring, with Charles Leclerc notably grabbing pole position at multiple venues (he remains the qualifying king of Baku with four poles here). Yet converting those Saturdays into trophies on Sunday has proven elusive. Ferrari have not won a Grand Prix in 2025, a statistic that weighs heavily in Maranello. Leclerc came agonizingly close in Monaco, leading much of the race before strategy woes dropped him to a podium finish. Since that early peak, the team’s performance plateaued; they were challengers at the start of the season but then found themselves with only occasional podiums in the months following.

At Monza last round, in front of their home crowd, Ferrari showed flashes of real pace again. Leclerc was just one tenth off the front row in qualifying and ultimately finished P4, only a few seconds behind the final podium spot. Team boss Frédéric Vasseur said he was disappointed to not be able to bring a podium to the Tifosi given how close they were. Still, Vasseur saw positives: the gap to McLaren was the smallest it had been all year, Ferrari seemingly closed the gap on the orange cars at Monza. He praised Verstappen’s exceptional drive but noted Ferrari “did our job” in beating Mercedes and matching McLaren’s pace at that specific race. The SF-25 car clearly liked the low-drag demands of Monza, suggesting its weakness has been in high-downforce efficiency rather than pure power. Baku, with similar long straights, could allow Ferrari another opportunity to fight at the sharp end. Both Leclerc and Hamilton will also relish the likely cooler conditions and possible drizzle forecast; a bit of variability could play into their hands with strategy and tire warm-up, areas where Ferrari’s engineers have shown creativity (if not always perfection).

Leclerc remains Ferrari’s leading light. He’s been a model of consistency in a tricky car. Apart from a freak accident earlier in the year, Leclerc has extracted near maximum from the SF-25, including multiple podiums. He thrives at Baku, with those four pole positions to his name, though victory here still eludes him. Could this be the weekend Leclerc finally becomes the “King of the Castle” with a win? If he can break McLaren’s qualifying stranglehold again, leading into Turn 1 could set him up nicely, albeit he’ll be wary that he’s been on pole in Baku before and seen others sweep by on Sunday.

Then there’s Lewis Hamilton, still an object of fascination in the paddock as a Ferrari driver. Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari was one of the off-season bombshells, reuniting him with Vasseur. The seven-time champion’s campaign has been underwhelming on paper. He has struggled at times to gel with the Ferrari’s characteristics, especially in qualifying where he’s often a step behind Leclerc. A grid penalty for an engine change meant Hamilton started 10th at Monza, though he recovered to P6 with an aggressive drive. Notably, Hamilton did take a landmark pole position at the British Grand Prix in July, a highlight in a season that has otherwise been a challenge. Hamilton’s experience and racecraft make him dangerous around Baku, where slipstream battles and late safety cars can create wild opportunities. He knows how to manage the mayhem.

Ferrari’s focus for Azerbaijan will be on maximizing points to defend P2 in the Constructors’. With Mercedes just behind, Ferrari can’t afford an incident or reliability failure. The team is bringing a low-drag wing package similar to Monza’s, aiming to maintain their top-speed competitiveness while keeping tire life in check through the twisty sector 2. Internally, there are no signs of intra-team friction, Leclerc and Hamilton have worked well together, often using split strategies to cover more bases. Both drivers have publicly praised the open and collaborative atmosphere under Vasseur’s leadership, a subtle change from the sometimes tense environment of prior years. Rumors about Hamilton’s future are starting to swirl in Italian media, but Hamilton has brushed them aside, insisting he’s fully committed to bringing Ferrari back to the top. For now, the Prancing Horse is still chasing that elusive first win of 2025. If they can replicate their Monza pace, a podium is within reach at Baku, and an upset win isn’t off the table if chaos reigns. The speed is there in flashes, and perhaps, as Vasseur says, they’ve closed the gap enough to taste champagne this Sunday.

Mercedes: A Learning Year Under the Silver Arrows

Mercedes find themselves in an unusual position, playing third fiddle in the championship and nurturing a rookie driver for the first time in over a decade. With Lewis Hamilton’s departure, 19-year-old prodigy Kimi Antonelli was promoted to partner George Russell for 2025. The campaign has had its bright spots and growing pains. Russell, now the clear team leader, sits as the best of the rest after a string of solid results. He’s yet to win a race this year, but has collected several podiums. Russell’s consistency has helped keep Mercedes in the fight for P2 in the Constructors’. His qualifying one-lap pace has also shone, he even snagged a pole position at Zandvoort in tricky wet conditions, reminding everyone of his outright speed.

The spotlight, however, often falls on young Kimi Antonelli. Hailed by Toto Wolff as a future superstar, Antonelli made the massive leap from Formula 2 to a Mercedes F1 race seat this year. It’s been a baptism by fire. He grabbed a sensational breakthrough podium in Canada (P3 in mixed conditions) that showed flashes of his talent. But since then, the Italian rookie has hit a bit of a slump. Recent races have been marred by errors – none more so than his home race at Monza. Antonelli qualified well, but spun into the gravel during practice and had a scrappy race, finishing ninth with a penalty for forcing Williams’ Alex Albon off track. Team boss Toto Wolff didn’t mince words, calling Antonelli’s Monza performance “underwhelming,” while reiterating it doesn’t shake Mercedes’ long-term faith in Kimi’s abilities. “It doesn’t change anything on my support and confidence in his future… but today was underwhelming,” Wolff said bluntly after Monza.

Behind closed doors, Mercedes is working to ease the pressure on Antonelli and help him regain confidence. Wolff highlighted the need to free him up mentally, to stop the accumulation of ballast from past mistakes weighing on the teenager. They recognize he’s carrying the burden of replacing Hamilton, the greatest driver in the sport’s history – and that was never going to be easy. Notably, Mercedes has already confirmed Antonelli will stay alongside Russell for 2026, shutting down any speculation of a driver change and giving the youngster stability. Wolff even admitted he briefly considered trying to sign Verstappen for 2026 before recommitting to Antonelli’s development, a sign that Mercedes believes nurturing their own talent is the way forward. As of now, Antonelli sits eighth in the championship. He’ll want to end the season on a high to justify that confidence.

Baku could be a friendlier track for him, its challenges are more about precision and bravery on the brakes than sustained cornering, and it’s a circuit where Mercedes’ car should perform decently. The W16 has shown a well-rounded, if not class-leading, package. It lacks the peak downforce of the McLaren or perhaps the top-end efficiency of the Red Bull, but it’s strong in slow corners and gentle on its tires. The team’s focus will be on out-scoring Ferrari here to try and leap into second in the standings. Russell will likely be in the mix for a podium if things get dicey among the McLarens and Verstappen. As for Antonelli, a clean, mistake-free weekend is the primary goal. If he can manage that, points will follow. The young Italian has plenty of pace, he just needs to harness it consistently.

In sum, Mercedes are in an unfamiliar rebuilding phase. They have gone from dominating titles to scrambling to be best-of-the-rest. Yet, there’s optimism in Brackley. The new concept introduced this year seems to have more potential, and reliability has been strong. The team famously does not accept losing lightly, so expect them to be aggressive with strategy calls in Baku if an opportunity arises to nick a podium or even a win under chaotic circumstances. And keep an eye on team orders: although it hasn’t been needed yet, if Russell is fighting a McLaren for a podium and Antonelli is just ahead on a different strategy, Mercedes could consider swapping their cars to maximize the experienced driver’s shot at glory. For now, the Silver Arrows will be content if they leave Azerbaijan with a solid double-points finish and their rookie prodigy back on an upward trajectory.

Williams: The Surprise of 2025

Williams have been arguably the feel-good story of the season. The once-backmarker team has surged to fifth in the Constructors’ standings, punching well above their weight and ahead of some factory outfits. A combination of savvy leadership, a strong car concept, and stellar driving has fueled their rise. Team Principal James Vowles has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, bringing strategic acumen and a clear development direction. The car excels on low-drag circuits and in race reliability, and the team has capitalized on every opportunity in mixed conditions or attritional races.

At the forefront is Alex Albon, now widely touted as F1’s most underrated driver. Albon has been a revelation, delivering consistent performances that often outrun the car’s expected pace. He's scored a big haul of points this year, an astonishing tally considering Williams scored only single digits in total just two years ago. Albon has finished in the points in well over half the races, consistently outperforming the car's expected pace and announcing to the paddock that Williams is a force to be reckoned with again. His qualifying efforts have been superb as well; he frequently muscles the Williams into Q3 and has produced wet-weather heroics. Vowles himself has heaped praise on Albon’s technical feedback and racecraft, considering him a linchpin for Williams’ future. With planned engine and aero upgrades plus new investment, the team believes podiums are within reach over the next cycle.

Williams also made a high-profile signing by bringing in Carlos Sainz for 2025 on a multi-year deal. Sainz’s move from Ferrari to Grove raised eyebrows, but it signaled Williams’ ambition and gave Sainz a team he could help build around himself. So far, Sainz’s season has been challenging. He has far fewer points than Albon, due to retirements, bad luck in incidents, and a few early reliability gremlins. He also had a controversial moment at Zandvoort, colliding with a Bulls car while battling in the midfield. The stewards initially penalized Sainz, but Williams later got the penalty rescinded on review with fresh onboard evidence, a rare reversal that couldn’t change the result but did clear his license. Incidents aside, Sainz has shown flashes of the speed that made him a multiple Grand Prix winner. He led laps in Singapore before a strategy gamble unraveled, and he’s been instrumental in Williams’ development direction, using his top-team experience.

Coming to Baku, Williams could be a dark horse yet again. Their car’s strength is straight-line speed, they have a low-drag design and a Mercedes power unit, a combination that typically makes the car a rocket on long straights. Expect the Williams pair to be extremely quick through the speed trap in Sector 3. In last year’s Azerbaijan GP, Albon nearly snagged a podium until a late safety car shuffled the order; this year they’ll be aiming to finish the job. A top-five finish is not out of the question, especially if the race has a high attrition rate. Albon in particular is a master at keeping the car out of trouble while picking up places, truly a thinking driver. He’s also riding high on confidence. For Sainz, Baku offers a chance to reset his season. He enjoys street circuits; if he can hook up a good qualifying and stay out of trouble, a double-points finish for Williams is very much on the cards.

Aston Martin: Eyes on 2026, Struggles in 2025

After a meteoric rise in early 2023 and a respectable 2024, Aston Martin have stagnated somewhat this season. They currently sit in the lower half of the Constructors’, locked in a tight midfield battle. The team underwent significant leadership restructuring aimed at rekindling their momentum. Engine mastermind Andy Cowell joined as CEO in late 2024 and was elevated to Team Principal at the start of this year, while previous principal Mike Krack shifted to a new trackside performance role. Cowell, famed for leading Mercedes’ engine dominance last decade, has set ambitious targets. “We are on a journey to becoming a championship-winning team,” he declared, citing the new factory and the incoming works Honda partnership for 2026 as game-changers. However, he also cautioned that there’s “no magic” solution for immediate performance and that the team’s multi-year plan requires patience.

In 2025, Aston Martin has often been dubbed the green update machine. The team introduced a near-constant stream of upgrades in 2024 and continued refining the car this season. But the gains have been modest relative to rivals. After finishing fifth last year, Aston have slid to P6/P7 territory, frequently struggling to crack the top ten on pure pace. The car performs reasonably well on high-downforce circuits but suffers on low-speed traction and straight-line grunt.

Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have had a muted 2025. Alonso started the year brightly with a podium in Bahrain but the season turned difficult as others overdeveloped them. He’s voiced frustration at times over the car’s inconsistency. Stroll managed a solid P4 in Montreal and has generally been around the lower end of the points in races. The fact that Stroll and Alonso are nearly equal on points underscores the car’s performance ceiling more than anything. Reliability, at least, has improved. At Monza, they executed a clever one-stop for Alonso that nearly stole a point, only to be thwarted by late-race tire fade. Cowell’s influence is starting to be felt in operational efficiency if not outright pace yet.

In Baku, expectations are measured. The track’s long straight will hurt Aston unless they trim out downforce significantly. However, if they run too little wing, the rear end will get lively in the castle. It’s a tricky compromise. Alonso is a master at navigating Baku mayhem, and Stroll also has a podium here from 2017. The aim is simple: score points with at least one car and protect position in the tight midfield cluster. If rain or Safety Cars jumble the order, Alonso’s savvy could yield a nice haul.

Racing Bulls: Young Guns and Uncertain Futures

The team began 2025 with Yuki Tsunoda and rookie Isack Hadjar. Then the Red Bull parent team’s second-seat saga kicked off: Lawson was promoted to Red Bull alongside Verstappen for the first two rounds, struggled, and Tsunoda was promoted instead from Round 3. That sent Lawson back to the Bulls to partner Hadjar for most of the season. It’s been a mixed bag results-wise, but a strong development year. Hadjar has impressed with maturity and points hauls beyond his age; Lawson has kept his head down and delivered quietly efficient drives that keep the team in the hunt every weekend.

With Laurent Mekies elevated mid-season to Red Bull team principal, Bulls’ weekend operations have been overseen by the remaining leadership group. The driver market noise is deafening: Hadjar is a favorite for a 2026 Red Bull seat, but the team insists no decision has been made yet and they won’t rush it. They’ve learned from past promotions that came too soon. Lawson is desperate to secure a long-term F1 spot, ideally within the Red Bull family. That makes every session an audition.

Baku suits the Bulls’ tidy, efficient package. Expect both drivers to be competitive with Haas, Sauber, and Aston. Lawson has useful Baku experience from F2; Hadjar’s calm temperament and street-track chops should translate well. Don’t be shocked by double-points if they avoid the walls and play strategy smartly.

Stake Sauber: Building Momentum for Audi

Racing under the Kick Sauber banner, this is the final chapter before Audi’s full works entry in 2026. Leadership moves, Jonathan Wheatley arriving as Team Principal (post-gardening leave) and Mattia Binotto joining as CTO, signal a serious reset. On track, the Hulk-and-rookie pairing has delivered: Nico Hülkenberg’s qualifying punch keeps them in the mix, and Gabriel Bortoleto has learned fast with solid points.

The car is a solid, no-drama midfield machine with decent Ferrari power and improving aero. Pit work is sharp and strategy calls have been brave at times. In Baku, Hülkenberg’s late-braking style and experience matter; Bortoleto’s job is to keep it clean and capitalize on chaos. A double-points result could slingshot them up the standings in a very condensed midfield table.

Haas: New Leadership, New Line-Up, Same Fighting Spirit

A fresh era without Guenther Steiner has Ayao Komatsu steering the ship. Driver reset too: Esteban Ocon’s experience plus Oliver Bearman’s raw speed has been a healthy mix. Tire management, Haas’s old Achilles’ heel, has improved, and Ferrari power helps on the straights. They started hot, faded a touch as rivals upgraded, then rebounded with mid-season updates.

Baku fits them: stop-and-go, heavy braking, and big reward for tidy execution. Ocon’s street smarts and Bearman’s fearlessness could snag points if they qualify clean. Split strategies are likely to cover Safety Car randomness. The goal: beat two or three direct rivals and keep climbing.

Podium Prediction: Statistics Meet Street Fight

Predicting Baku is a fool’s errand—but here’s the smart money based on 2025 form:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – Monza momentum plus straight-line efficiency gives him the edge on the 2km blast. He’s due a Baku win and has the toolbox to take it.

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – Relentlessly quick and calmer under pressure than ever. If Red Bull are a shade faster in S3, Norris still bags big points.

3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – Leads the title, won here last year, and plays percentages like a champ. Podium keeps his campaign on rails.

Sources:
Formula1.com (race reports, standings, team quotes, technical notes) 
Sky Sports F1 (post-race analysis, team radio, management quotes)
BBC Sport (season context, standings features)
ESPN F1 (driver market reporting, Monza fallout, team order analyses)
GPBlog (paddock news, driver comments)
The Race (technical and strategy deep dives; podcast insights)
Motorsport.com / Motorsport Week (upgrade trackers, team briefings)
RacingNews365 (driver/TP interviews, standings snapshots)
Reuters (newswire confirmations on leadership/driver moves)
Pirelli (compound choices, pre-event notes)
Official team press releases and pre-/post-race interview transcripts