Azerbaijan Grand Prix Predictions: Piastri to get back on top
Having had to concede second place to McLaren team-mate Lando Norris at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month, Oscar Piastri will look to extend his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship with victory in Azerbaijan on Sunday.
With seven race wins to his name already this season, Piastri holds a 31-point lead over Norris in the Drivers’ Championship going into this weekend.
After a controversial weekend in Italy, in which Red Bull star Max Verstappen took the chequered flag, Piastri will be determined to return to the top of the podium at the Baku City Circuit.
Tip 1 – Oscar Piastri to win @ 7/4
Despite Verstappen impressing to win the Italian Grand Prix last time out, it was the two McLarens who grabbed many of the headlines.
Piastri was ordered to give second place back to his teammate at Monza, after a fault with a wheel gun delayed Norris, who dropped down to third place.
Following team orders, Piastri ceded the second spot back to Norris, once again demonstrating the team ethos that has served McLaren so well this season.
However, Azerbaijan is a new chapter and both drivers will be hoping they can race freely and without the paddock getting involved.
With both Piastri and Norris available at 7/4 for the race win, there’s expected to be very little between the two drivers again on Sunday.
However, Piastri gets the nod for this first tip after his impressive victory in Baku last season.
The Aussie took the chequered flag in the Azerbaijani capital, while Norris had to settle for fourth on his last visit to this street circuit.
Given his apparent liking for this track, Piastri looks good value to land his eighth win of the 2025 campaign and extend his lead over Norris in the title race.
Tip 2 – George Russell podium finish @ 3/1
Looking for value in the market for a top-three finish, George Russell stands out at odds of 3/1 for a podium spot on Sunday.
Currently sitting in fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship with one win already secured this season, Russell has quietly gone about his business and flown slightly under the radar compared to some of his rivals on the grid.
With six podium finishes to his name this year, the Mercedes ace has shown impressive levels of consistency and reliability, often making the most of opportunities when others falter.
At 3/1, he looks a strong price to add another top-three result to his growing collection this weekend.
It’s also worth noting that the Englishman managed just four podium finishes across the whole of the 2024 Formula 1 season but one of which came at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Russell finished third on his last outing in Baku, and with the circuit often throwing up drama and unpredictability, he looks well-placed to repeat the feat.
Another podium on Sunday would underline his credentials as one of the most dependable performers on the grid in what promises to be another intriguing race.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change