Kimi Antonelli stands on the precipice of Formula One history. The 20-year-old Italian sensation arrives in Baku with momentum on his side, an 81-point championship cushion in his pocket, and the audacious goal of claiming a third consecutive victory that could all but seal Italy’s first drivers’ crown in 71 years.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a brutal triple-header, and Antonelli, already boasting eight wins this season, knows the pressure is mounting as he chases Alberto Ascari’s legacy.
Also read: Strategy blunders gift Antonelli dominant Spanish Grand Prix victory
But whilst the numbers paint a picture of dominance, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff isn’t getting carried away. The Austrian knows Baku’s unforgiving street circuit has a nasty habit of punishing complacency.
“Recent results have been encouraging, but they don’t guarantee anything,” Wolff warned. “Baku will expose any weakness very quickly. We have to approach the weekend with humility, do the basics well and earn every point.”
The circuit that bites back
The high-speed Baku City Circuit is notoriously chaotic, a 6.003-kilometre ribbon of tarmac threading through narrow streets where one mistake can destroy a championship campaign in seconds. Antonelli’s recent triumphs in Italy and Spain have been impressive, but even he admitted fortune played its part in Madrid when a virtual safety car intervention denied McLaren’s Lando Norris what looked like a certain victory.
Also read: Norris wants rule change after VSC lottery costs him Madrid win
This weekend’s race takes place on Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday slot, with Azerbaijan observing Remembrance Day. It marks the 10th running of the Baku event since joining the calendar in 2016, though the 2020 edition fell victim to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The triple-header challenge
What makes this weekend particularly significant is the gauntlet that follows. Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore in three consecutive weeks will test physical endurance, operational precision and mental fortitude like few stretches on the calendar.
“This will be a demanding period for the team, both in the factory and track-side, with little time to reset between the races,” said Wolff. “So, preparation, reliability and operational execution become even more important. These are the moments when our championship position can be strengthened or lost.”
Leclerc’s Baku curse continues
If there’s one driver who’ll fancy upsetting Antonelli’s party, it’s Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque has been untouchable in Baku qualifying, securing four consecutive pole positions before crashing out in final qualifying last year. Yet somehow, victory has remained agonisingly elusive.
Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton sits third in the standings, 101 points adrift of Antonelli, and has publicly ruled himself out of title contention. The seven-time world champion won in Baku previously and could play spoiler if Ferrari rediscover their earlier season form.
Verstappen hunts history
Max Verstappen arrives hunting his third Baku victory for Red Bull, who’ve dominated proceedings with five wins on the circuit. Fresh off beating 100 amateur racers in a Silverstone karting challenge last week, the Dutchman is relishing the challenge.
Also read: Max demolishes 100 rivals in largest go-kart race ever staged
“It’s a challenging and technical street circuit, but it is really exciting to drive and I have good memories here,” said Verstappen.
Red Bull also welcome back Isack Hadjar, who’s recovered from a broken wrist, with Liam Lawson returning to Racing Bulls after deputising.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, will be chasing a second Baku triumph as the Woking outfit continue their resurgence.
Mercedes know they’re in the box seat, but as Wolff rightly pointed out, humility and execution will matter more than raw pace. If Antonelli can navigate the chaos, extend his winning streak to three, and emerge from the triple-header unscathed, that Alberto Ascari comparison will start looking like prophecy rather than possibility.
The championship won’t be won this weekend, but it could certainly be lost.
