Coming into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, defending champion Max Verstappen is focused on turning things around for both himself and Red Bull to stop their current slide and safeguard their title lead. Despite not winning in six races while his opponents have surged, Verstappen still maintains a 62-point cushion over Lando Norris in the drivers' standings.
The battle for the constructors' title is heating up, with McLaren now just eight points behind Red Bull. While the Spanish Grand Prix in June marked the last victory for the team and Verstappen, Sergio Perez has a reason to be confident, having previously conquered the Baku street circuit to claim his sixth career win.
A nine-point swing in McLaren's favor this Sunday would strip Red Bull of the dominance they've enjoyed since the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix. This struggle comes at a pivotal moment, especially with the recent announcement that legendary designer Adrian Newey will serve as a future managing technical partner, making it vital for the team to stay ahead of rivals like Aston Martin.
Ever since Charles Leclerc took the win at Monza on September 1, Verstappen and Sergio Perez have been working tirelessly to escape their performance dip. Verstappen admitted that the Monza race was a struggle, noting that the team's absolute priority is returning to their peak competitive form and resolving the technical glitches they've encountered.
Perez mentioned that the time since the last race has been spent in deep reflection and hard work at the factory. He emphasized that getting back to the front of the grid requires a collective effort, something he sees daily at the Milton Keynes headquarters. He added that this challenge has actually bonded the team closer. As for the track, Perez expressed his love for Baku, noting that the high-speed street circuit perfectly complements his driving style.
After finishing eighth at Monza—three spots behind Verstappen—Perez saw Lewis Hamilton, two Ferrari drivers, and two McLaren drivers claim the top five spots. He is eager to return to Baku, a track where he feels comfortable, which is a welcome change after a season filled with rumors regarding his future at Red Bull. Perez holds a unique record in Baku, being the only driver to have won the event twice.
Ferrari is entering the weekend with high spirits following their Monza victory, thanks to a car that has been significantly improved by floor modifications and other upgrades. However, Team Principal Fred Vasseur cautioned against obsessing over the championship table, stating that their primary goal is consistency as they hunt down McLaren and Red Bull.
Vasseur believes the team must simply focus on executing a perfect race every weekend. He argued that being too conservative just to protect a championship position is a mistake, as the dynamics of F1 can shift entirely from one week to the next.
With recent wins by both McLaren and Mercedes, the fast and unforgiving streets of Baku are expected to host a tight battle. In a roster change, Ferrari's reserve driver Oliver Bearman will step in for Haas to replace Kevin Magnussen, who is currently serving a suspension after reaching 12 penalty points.