After three races and as many poles and victories, Red Bull arrives on the shores of the Caspian Sea as the undisputed master of the discipline.

Proof of its form, the Austrian team was the big beneficiary of the Australian weekend at the beginning of April as the two-time defending champion Max Verstappen won at the end of a chaotic race. His teammate Sergio Perez finished 5th – the worst finish by a Red Bull in 2023 – starting from last place.

On the eve of the fourth round of the season, Verstappen, the last winner in Azerbaijan, is 15 points ahead of Pérez (69 pts).

But on the streets of Baku, where the outcome is often unpredictable (six different winners in six races contested), Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso could be the first to reverse the dynamic.

The 41-year-old Spaniard, who has never been so close to victory since returning to F1 in 2021, knows it: the Azerbaijani track, a clever mix of speed and driving in the old city, represents "a unique challenge that creates many opportunities for risk but also reward".

The veteran of the grid, 3rd in the championship, is not mistaken because very often, GPs have given rise to spectacular races.

Improvements in sight

Drivers and teams took advantage of a four-week spring break - a consequence of the cancellation of the Chinese GP scheduled for mid-April because of Covid-19 - to adjust their cars.

Presentation of the Baku street circuit, where the Azerbaijan © Grand Prix / AFP is held

If Alpine will arrive in Baku "with a new floor as well as other aerodynamic and mechanical elements", Ferrari will wait a little longer before making changes.

"We have been working hard at Maranello on the development of the SF-23, both in terms of improving the current car and on the planned updates that will be gradually introduced over the next few races," starting with Miami in early May.

The stakes are crucial for the Scuderia, which is experiencing its worst start to a season since 2009. Only 4th force on the grid for the moment, the team vice-champion in the constructors is relegated behind Red Bull, Aston Martin and Mercedes, whose W14 is still struggling to meet the ambitions of victory of the eight-time world champion.

"We have tried to make the most of the break, bringing planned developments and making the most of what we have learned so far," said German team boss Toto Wolff.

The first encouraging sign was Mercedes on its first podium of the season in Australia thanks to Lewis Hamilton's second place. However, Wolff tempers, "you have to be careful and not rely too much on a single result."

British driver Lewis Hamilton, at a press conference before the Azerbaijan GP, on April 27, 2023 in Baku © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP

Weekend revisited

The fourth round of the season also marks the return on Saturday of a sprint race that will be contested for the first time on a street circuit since the introduction of the format in 2021.

But contrary to what was done until now, F1 announced earlier this week to review its format to ensure the show.

Thus, the drivers will only run one free practice session during the weekend (Friday), followed by the "classic" qualifying during the day, which will determine the starting grid of the GP on Sunday.

Saturday will be devoted to sprinting. The drivers will take to the track for a second qualifying session on the same model as the one on Friday but shorter, which will determine the starting order for the sprint race contested on the same day.

The old city of Baku, where the Azerbaijan F1 GP is held, on April 26, 2023 © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP

The sprint always offers more points to the championship: from eight for the first to one for the 8th. A boon for the best performers who will be able to pocket up to 34 points in case of double victory and best lap in the race. The opportunity for Red Bull to take off?

© 2023 AFP