Three Drivers Who Need a Good Weekend at Baku

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has a reputation for chaos. Baku’s street circuit is full of tight corners, long straights, and is unforgiving to mistakes. With only eight races left of the 2025 season, some drivers need to step it up in Azerbaijan to prove their worth. Some will be fighting to keep their championship dreams alive, while others will be competing to land a seat on the grid.

Ferrari’s beloved veteran driver Charles Leclerc has maintained a healthy standing position in the top five throughout the season. However, he sits almost 200 points behind first place and has yet to win a race. Last year, Leclerc won three races, including his hometown race in Monaco. Yet, this year, he has struggled to maintain consistency and has finished in third four times and second once. In Baku this weekend, where he earned second last year, Leclerc needs to secure a win or a strong podium finish to secure some much-needed points. Ferrari has yet to win a race due to McLaren’s dominance this year. A win for Ferrari and Leclerc would further clarify their dominance in Formula 1.

Chasing his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris is still in the hunt for a championship win. Norris sits behind Oscar Piastri by 31 points, after his DNF at the Dutch Grand Prix. The majority of the races this year have had both Papaya teammates on the podium, but Norris struggles to make a significant jump at Piastri. Last year, Norris came second in the drivers' championship to four-time world champion Max Verstappen. If Norris doesn’t have a strong performance this weekend in Baku, he may end up just short of the championship for the second year.

The young rookie driver who has proven he belongs in Formula 1, Isack Hadjar, is proving to be a valuable part of the Red Bull and Racing Bulls franchise. He currently has 38 championship points and sits above his Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson and Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda. Hadjar has not signed for the 2026 season, and neither have Lawson nor Tsunoda. As a result of Hadjar’s strong performance so far this season, he needs to drive well at Baku this weekend to solidify why he should get the Red Bull seat next year, next to Verstappen. This race could be the chance for Hadjar to continue to prove his talent as a rookie and secure a strong seat in 2026.