Storylines Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

After a thrilling weekend in Monza for the tifosi and Scuderia Ferrari, drivers were given a weekend off before going into a double-header starting in Azerbaijan, and ending in Singapore. Some stayed at home and enjoyed face masks (Pierre Gasly) while others got in trouble for their car tapping another on the iconic Monaco hairpin (Charles Leclerc). But we're back to racing, and there are loads of storylines heading into Baku. 

1. Ferrari's Monza Momentum

After a brilliant one-stop strategy plan at their home in Italy, Ferrari will be looking to continue their upwards trajectory, hopefully securing a podium (or even win) in Baku. Luckily for them, Charles Leclerc has taken pole in Baku for the past three years.

After taking a step back in Spain with a floor replacement that didn't work for their drivers, the Maranello-based team has been struggling to get back to their rightful place on the podium. For the Italian Grand Prix, they brought a specific rear wing that suited Monza's high speed sections. But, this poses the question: did they put too many of their eggs in one basket? Time will tell.

Unluckily for them, Leclerc has lost out on the win to both of the Bulls all three time he's started on pole in Baku, but with Red Bull's struggles lately Ferrari might be fighting a different beast, the rocketship McLaren.

2. To "Papaya Rules" or not to "Papaya Rules"

It seems as though McLaren is having a hard time deciding whether to go full throttle on Lando's World Driver's Championship campaign or let their drivers race, optimizing their drivers' relationships with the team, rather than Norris's points. 

After the turn four move, where Oscar Piastri pulled in front of his teammate on pole, on the opening lap in Monza, McLaren came under fire and speculation for their "Papaya Rules," stating that hard racing was permitted as long as neither driver interfered with the ultimate team outcome. Piastri after the race was clear that he didn't want to spend nine races handing over every points opportunity, but the likes of F1 Journalist Will Buxton, and former F1 Driver Nico Rosberg opposed that idea, arguing that the Woking-based team were throwing away potentially their only chance to beat Max Verstappen and Red Bull.

Both Andrea Stella and Zak Brown have been vague over their plans for the last stretch of the 2024 F1 season, but with only eight races left their verdict should be coming soon.

3. Red Bull has not given their Drivers' Wings

Since its reintroduction to the calendar in 2021, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has only been won by Red Bull drivers. Twice by Perez in 2021 and 2023, and once by Max Verstappen in 2022. You would think it'd be a slam dunk for the Bulls this weekend, but after a six-win drought for Verstappen and no signs of improvement with the RB20, chances are the win is going to either of the front runners, McLaren and Ferrari this weekend.

Perez is another topic of discussion, with the Mexican man's last podium appearance being China, back in April of this year. Ever since Monaco it seems as if the Milton Keynes team have been on a downwards spiral, struggling to even get podiums when just months ago they were winning races by more than a ten second margin. 

Unfortunately they've come along way since the RB19, and even their dominant start to the year in Bahrain, with Azerbaijan and Singapore likely being a continuation of their temporary downfall. 

After the double header they'll have a month to regroup before heading to the Americas for the Austin GP, where Helmut Marko has predicted Red Bull will rebound. The question is: will it be enough to beat McLaren to the Constructor's Championship crown?

4. Extended vacay for Kevin, Opportunity for Ollie

After an altercation with Gasly in Monza, Kevin Magnussen had officially exceeded his allowed penalty points for a 12 month period, ending with him being banned from racing in Azerbaijan by the FIA. With that, Oliver Bearman earned himself his second driver of the 2024 season, before joining the American team the coming year as a full-time driver.

His first appearance came in Saudi Arabia when he stepped into Carlos Sainz's Ferrari, following the news that the Spaniard required emergency appendix removal. Bearman qualified P11, but ended with points on debut in P7. He's currently tied with Magnussen in WDC standings, though only making an appearance in one of 16 race weekends the Dane driver has driven in this year. But, it must be noted that competing in a Ferrari vs a HAAS is a much different ball game.

The struggle for Bearman will be maximizing the opportunity for points in a car that is significantly different, and typically slower than the Ferrari car. 

5. A New WCC Leader

What might have seemed like a far-fetched possibility at the beginning of the year has become a reality, McLaren is only eight points behind Red Bull and has the opportunity to overtake them in the World Constructor's Championship standings in Azerbaijan. Since Miami, McLaren has quickly become a force to be reckoned with, securing three wins and countless podiums for their 2024 F1 campaign. 

While the pace of both the McLaren and Red Bull might suggest that it'll be easy-going for the Papaya team to secure the lead and build the gap until the end of the season, potential Red Bull upgrades coming around the time of the United States GP suggest otherwise. It'll be a fight to the end regardless of how strong both Norris and Piastri are looking at the moment. 

Is another entertaining Abu Dhabi in F1's future?