Overview
- Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku with an 81‑point lead after back‑to‑back wins in Monza and Madrid, making him the clear favourite for the drivers’ title.
- Formula 1 resumes a compressed run of six Grands Prix in seven weeks starting in Baku, a schedule change that begins with the race held on Saturday because Sunday is Azerbaijan’s Day of Remembrance.
- Mercedes’ W17 is well suited to Baku’s long straights and low‑downforce demands, and the team expects a fresh upgrade package between Malaysia and Singapore after no major aero changes since Montreal.
- Ferrari is inspecting the ADUO‑2 power unit damaged at Monza and may use it only in practice before deciding whether to fit a new unit, a change that would bring a grid penalty for Charles Leclerc.
- The condensed calendar and track‑specific gaps in power and aero make reliability and engine choices critical this phase, and rival drivers including George Russell, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton will try to pressure Antonelli into mistakes.