Formula 1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku

After a frustrating Madrid Grand Prix, the Norman from Alpine regained sensations this weekend in Baku, and can claim big points with his 7th place on the grid...

Isack Hadjar’s goal of the day? “The podium”, no more, no less. Fourth on the grid after a good qualifying where his teammate Verstappen suffered a battery problem, the Ile-de-France native dreams of celebrating his recent extension with a place on the box. Finally back after six weeks of immobilization due to a wrist injury, the Red Bull driver is very ambitious this Saturday.

Azerbaijan is celebrating a decade of grand prix events in its capital, since 2016 and a first edition under the patronage of the European Grand Prix. First feared by the drivers, the demanding Baku route, its endless straight, its right-angle bends and its impressive castle bend (8 and 9) has become a spectacular and unmissable event on the calendar.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix celebrates its tenth anniversary. Between Oscar Piastri's crossing of the desert, the championship which already seems promised to Antonelli and the dark future of Esteban Ocon, the 15th Grand Prix of the season does not lack spice...

THE GP IN FIVE QUESTIONS

For once, the Azerbaijan GP takes place on a Saturday. And the reason is simple, and above all state-related. September 27 is a public holiday in the country and is reserved for a particularly important commemoration established by the Azeri authorities in December 2020, a few weeks after the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.

In pole position after a very authoritative Q3, with 9 tenths ahead of Baku qualifying specialist Charles Leclerc (4 pole positions on this track), George Russell has a very big challenge to play this Saturday. Second in the championship, 81 points behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli, this Saturday the Briton has the opportunity to regain ground from his amazing teammate, only 16th on the grid after a big mistake in Q1...