Max Verstappen will start Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Formula 1 world championship leader for the first time but also with his Red Bull under close technical scrutiny as they aim to consolidate their respective championship leads.
The race around the streets of Baku is the last before the sport's governing body brings in new rear-wing flexibility tests.
Mercedes's seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said last month that he reckoned Red Bull were gaining precious tenths of a second by using a "bendy wing on the back of their car".
The Briton, now four points behind the 23-year-old Dutch driver, also said the advantage on Baku's long straights could be as much as six tenths.
Hamilton's team boss Toto Wolff warned in Monaco, where Verstappen won, that the delay in implementing the tougher tests could trigger a protest in Azerbaijan, the season's sixth race.
Verstappen has yet to finish higher than fourth in Baku, with no race last year due to COVID-19, but that could all be about to change as he chases his third win of the season.
"Baku's a completely different street circuit where you run a lot less downforce because of that long straight and the grip levels also feel quite low there," said the Dutchman. "Normally we should be quite competitive, but let's see."
Mercedes have taken pole and won three of four races to date in Baku, with Hamilton -- who has won three times so far this year -- triumphant in 2018 and teammate Valtteri Bottas in 2019.
Daniel Ricciardo won for Red Bull in 2017, Nico Rosberg for Mercedes in 2016, and no driver has so far managed to win more than once there.
The Monaco weekend, with Hamilton seventh and Bottas retiring after a wheel could not be removed in a pitstop, was one to forget for Mercedes.
"We expect it (Baku) to be another tricky one for us, not particularly suiting the characteristics and traits of the W12 (car)," said Wolff.
"Red Bull will be strong again, while both Ferrari and McLaren have made great progress recently."
Ferrari had Charles Leclerc on pole in Monaco before his pre-race retirement and Carlos Sainz finished second, ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris.
"I think that we're not going to be the best ones on that long straight but at the same time, if we can make the time back on the tight part then we should be okay," said Sainz.
"The one that now should be excited about Baku is my friend Lando Norris... he has a bit of a rocket on the straight."
Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez will also be hoping to step up at a circuit where he finished third in 2016 and 2018 with Force India.
"I hope we can put a strong qualifying together because we've proved our race pace is right up there with the best. We just have to improve our Saturdays and then we should be fine," said the Mexican.
The race will be without a live crowd due to the pandemic.
Reuters supplied Formula 1 statistics for the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, round six of the season:
- Lap distance: 6.003km. Total distance: 306.049km (51 laps)
- No race in 2020.
- Race lap record: Charles Leclerc (Monaco), Ferrari, one minute 43.009 seconds, 2019.
- Start time: 1200 GMT (1600 local)
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- The street circuit made its debut in 2016 as the European Grand Prix. The name changed in 2017, when the race was held in June.
- Hamilton, Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and Australian Daniel Ricciardo are the only current drivers to have won there, with retired 2016 champion Nico Rosberg taking the inaugural victory for Mercedes.
- Two of the four races so far have been won from pole (Rosberg and Bottas). Three have been from the front row, with Ricciardo winning for Red Bull from 10th on the grid in 2017.
- Mercedes have taken three of four poles, with Ferrari the other one.
- The safety car has been deployed in two of four races.
- Mexican Sergio Perez took third places for Force India in 2016 and 2018.
- Baku is the lowest lying F1 circuit, at 28 metres below sea level.
Race Victories
- Hamilton has a record 98 career victories, of which 77 have been with Mercedes, from 271 starts. He has been on the podium 169 times.
- Hamilton has won three of the five races so far in 2021.
- Ferrari have won 238 races since 1950, McLaren 182, Mercedes 118, Williams 114 and Red Bull 66. Former champions McLaren and Williams have not won since 2012.
Pole Position
- Hamilton has a record 100 career poles and is the only driver to have won from pole so far this season. He has won 59 times from pole.
Championship
- Verstappen is four points ahead of Hamilton. Red Bull lead Mercedes by one point.
Milestone
- Red Bull are leading the drivers' and constructors' world championships for the first time since 2013.
Latest News
Loading
