Formula 1 | Azerbaijan GP Up Next as Hamilton Looks to Bounce Back

Now five races into the 2021 World Championship, the Formula 1 season is well and truly underway. Who’s leading the grid?

In recent years, Formula 1 has been in the interest of many across the UK. There has been some exciting race weekends, as well as British driver Lewis Hamilton breaking records left, right & centre. Now, he has arguably his toughest challenge yet – a young Max Verstappen.

We’re coming up to the sixth race weekend of the 2021 calendar – the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. As it stands, there’s the two leading the way, with the rest of the grid fighting for the final podium spot for the year. Who will take it?

Monaco Grand Prix – A Recap

Just less than two weeks ago, the infamous Monaco GP took place in front of 7,500 fans. Thousands of fans gathered to watch arguably the most iconic race of the F1 calendar – it was very entertaining.

The track is known for its tight corners and narrow track, which means that drivers must be on top form to succeed in Monaco. At the end of qualifying, it was the Monaco-born Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc that turned it up a gear (pun intended) and found himself in pole position for the race in his home country.

Meanwhile, Verstappen and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas took the other two of the top three spots, while Brit Hamilton found himself unusually further down the grid in seventh. The race was one to forget for Leclerc and Bottas, however, with neither finishing the race.

The Red Bull youngster took the victory in Monaco. Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. came in second, while McLaren’s Lando Norris secured his second podium finish of the season so far. Hamilton could not get going in the race, and found himself starting and finishing in seventh place.

Driver Standings So Far

It’s Red Bull’s Max Verstappen that leads the way after five race weekends for the season, who has a total of 105 points – four ahead of Hamilton. Then, you’ve got to look way down the standings before you find who’s in third.

With that said, it’s good news for British drivers, with Norris currently sitting in third with 56 points. He is just nine points ahead of Bottas in fourth, and all of this could change after the upcoming race weekend.

It’s an extremely entertaining battle at the top of the grid. Verstappen has stepped up to challenge Hamilton – a driver who has dominated the sport in recent years. Will the Brit be dethroned? Or will it be Hamilton that breaks away as the sole record holder for F1 World Championship titles?

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The drivers are heading to Baku this weekend, as the Azerbaijan GP kicks off on Friday for Practice 1. The excitement has already been building for this one, with both Mercedes drivers (Hamilton and Bottas) looking to find a top position once again.

Meanwhile, Verstappen will definitely be looking to extend his lead at the top of the F1 standings. Following an impressive performance in Monaco, there’s no doubt that the Red Bull driver will be wanting to continue being at the top of the grid.

It’s worth noting that the last time drivers raced in Azerbaijan was in 2019, after an adjusted calendar last year meant there was no Azerbaijan GP in 2020. Since 2016, there has been a different winner in Baku every year, with Bottas victorious in the latest race.

Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP – Betting Odds

Think you know who’s going to win the upcoming Azerbaijan GP? Will Bottas win back-to-back races in Baku? Will Hamilton return to the top of the grid? Are we going to see Verstappen crowned victorious on Sunday?

Only time will tell, but if you’re looking to place a bet on Formula 1, we recommend checking out 888sport today!