Venue: Baku City Circuit, Baku.
Race Date: 12th June 2022
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix continues to hold its own on the Formula 1 calendar and promises to be another fascinating battle on the streets of Baku. Max Verstappen continues to lead the way after an impressive start to the season, whilst Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is in hot pursuit. The city circuit in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku has only been on the calendar since 2017 but has quickly become one of the most notorious tracks on the F1 calendar. Daniel Riccardo won the first race in 2017, with Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas all getting over the line in first place more recently. With the schedule soon to reach its halfway point, this could prove to be a pivotal race in the outcome of the F1 season.
Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Predictions
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F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Race Winner
In race eight of the 2022 Formula One season, all of the biggest names on the grid will be battling for supremacy here in Baku:
Max Verstappen – $2.25
Red Bull look to have wrestled the early season initiative away from Ferrari so far this term and Max Verstappen is the key beneficiary. With 4 wins from the opening 7 races, the Dutchman is out on his own at the top of the Drivers’ Championship table and he will be looking to extend his lead for the season here. Not having won here in Baku previously could be a hill he needs to climb moving forward but he is the form driver on the grid, and he could be tough to stop.
Charles Leclerc – $2.75
Having seen his Championship lead fall apart in the last few weeks, Charles Leclerc will want a response immediately here. Having grown up in Monaco all his life, street circuits are very much his onion, and he will be eager to use his speed over the city circuits to good effect. The only question mark that hovers over Leclerc is how his Ferrari car holds up, but should it stand the test ahead, Charles Leclerc is sure to be in contention here.
Sergio Perez – $7.00
Having won this race last year and coming into this one fresh off the back of a superb win at the Monaco Grand Prix, Sergio Perez will be one of the men to watch again in Baku. Red Bull are the team to catch this season in the Constructors Championship and Perez’s pace has been eye catching this season and should the top two battle it out once more, Perez could swoop in for another race win.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Top Six Finish
Race 8 of the season here at the Baku street circuit presents an opportunity for every driver to keep putting points on the board, in what is a long season ahead:
Carlos Sainz – $1.35
For Carlos Sainz, it has been somewhat of a stop start season thus far, with his Ferrari car clearly possessing plenty of pace but having a few structural issues too. Charles Leclerc and Sainz have both been able to consistently put points on the board this term and there clearly is a good rapport between the two, but will they be able to stop Red Bull this term. Conditions in Baku should suit Sainz this weekend though and he could go well once more.
George Russell – $1.40
Picking up multiple podium finishes in recent weeks should do George Russell the world of good, with the Brit looking to get to grips with the Mercedes car in recent weeks. He clearly doesn’t have the pace of the Red Bull or Ferrari cars, but pace isn’t everything at Baku and he is an astute driver at this level. The top 6 has been something he has been regularly achieving this season and he will be looking to add to his tally here.
Lewis Hamilton – $1.44
Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton hasn’t been able to hit the heights of previous seasons in a Mercedes car that has really struggled this season. However, his recent performances in Spain and Monaco will be a real confidence boost for the Brit, with plenty of the season still to go. Writing off Lewis Hamilton is never recommended, and he should be in the mix here at Baku 2022, a race he has won before.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Best Bets
Race Winner: Max Verstappen – $2.75
Top Six Finish: Carlos Sainz – $1.35
Combining his sports coaching career with freelance journalism, Sam is a sports betting writer for various online publications. He is looking to develop both his respective coaching and writing careers, whilst incorporating his other huge passion – travelling the world.
Sam currently lives and works in Milan, Italy and playing/following/writing about cricket, football (soccer), tennis, formula 1 and golf continue to take up much of his spare time.
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