Oscar Piastri is set to defend his title at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this coming weekend. The Australian driver claimed victory in the 2024 edition after a prolonged battle with rival and pole-sitter Charles Leclerc. A year on, the 24-year-old McLaren driver leads the championship. Piastri draws confidence from his last triumph in Baku and is on the hunt for another win.
Last year, the street circuit of Baku was the backdrop for Oscar Piastri’s second victory. However, the champagne in Azerbaijan probably tasted sweeter than after his first win in Hungary. At the Hungaroring, he inherited the victory from teammate Lando Norris following a controversial team order. In Baku, however, Piastri drove to victory on his own merit, despite fierce opposition from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. In an official press release, the Australian reflects on the past edition and looks ahead to the upcoming race weekend.
Advantages
“I have very fond memories of Baku last year,” says Piastri. “It was truly one of my favorite races ever. Moreover, there are always advantages to returning to a circuit where you’ve previously achieved a good result. This weekend, I’m fully focused on delivering more strong performances. I’m leading the championship and I’m still very happy with my current driving style.” In the past month, Piastri finished on the podium in Monza and won the Grand Prix of Zandvoort.
Lando Norris Aims for Improved Performance
Lando Norris, who laments a 31 World Championship point deficit to his teammate, is hopeful for better performances this year. In 2024, he was eliminated in Q1, but fought his way up to fourth place in the race. He benefited from the retirements of Carlos Sainz and Sergio Pérez. “Street circuits always present a challenge,” Norris commented. “I can’t wait to go there and put myself to the test. I’ve visited the McLaren headquarters and worked hard to prepare myself as well as possible for a new victory.”
