Formula 1 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Odds & Picks

• F1 racing returns after a four-week break with this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix
• The weekend features the first sprint race of the season
• Read on for all the Azerbaijan Grand Prix odds, picks, and trends ahead of Sunday morning’s race at Baku City Circuit

The Formula 1 schedule resumes this weekend after a four-week break with Sunday’s running of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. There have been plenty of developments during the unusual early-season break caused by the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix. Changes have been made to the sprint format to be used this weekend, and with plenty of time to tinker, reports suggest several teams could opt for upgrades ahead of the race.

Here’s a look at all the odds and trends ahead of the running of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday morning, with race time set for 7:00 am ET at Baku City Circuit.

Odds to Win 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Last year’s winner at this race, Max Verstappen returns to Baku perched as -280 favorite in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix odds. Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate and 2021 race winner Sergio Perez sits second as a +380 bet, and Charles Leclerc returns as a distant +220 wager after claiming the pole at this race in each of the past two years.

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Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 25, 2023.

Can Red Bull Extend Dominance in Baku?

Red Bull has been virtually untouchable so far this season. Defending F1 champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez claimed the top two spots on the podium in each of the first two races of the season, and Verstappen followed up with the win in Australia four weeks ago. The duo have also taken turns claiming victory at this event over the past two years, and with no major upgrades reportedly planned, there should be little doubt that they will contend once again.

These are the standings ahead of the Azerbaijan GP#FORMULA1 #F1 #F12023 #AzerbaijanGP #BakuGP pic.twitter.com/7MLcnjwi9D

— F1 Insider (@F1Insider_FB) April 24, 2023

Not surprisingly, the duo also sit one-two in the odds to win the first sprint of the season, with Verstappen pegged as -330 chalk, ahead of Perez at +330. Verstappen took the checkered flag in two of last season’s three sprint races, while Perez reached the podium once. However, with te announcement of some last-minute changes being made to the sprint format on Tuesday afternoon, the duo could face stiffer competition in Saturday’s sprint.

Changes to Sprint Format

Previously used to determine grid order for race day, the sprint will now be a standalone event held on Saturday, with eight points available to the winner. However, with teams increasingly resisting the urge to have drivers go all out in sprints and risking positioning or penalties on race day, race qualifying will be held on Friday following a reduced number of practice sessions.

Saturday will feature a qualifying session dubbed the “Sprint Shootout” prior to the running of the 100-kilometer sprint race.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix Recent Winners

Ferrari, McLaren Expected to Make Upgrades

Among the teams likely to make upgrades in Azerbaijan are Ferrari and McLaren. Both teams have struggled this season, with McLaren mustering just 12 Constructor points through the first three rounds of the season, while the Prancing Horses have yet to emerge as a real threat to reach the podium.

The 360 camera – Charles Leclerc pole Lap – Azerbaijan GP 🚀 pic.twitter.com/dDU8A33iPM

— ahmed baokbah 🇸🇦🏎✈️ (@ahmed_baokbah) July 15, 2022

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is hoping to turn around a miserable start in Baku. Leclerc has failed to finish two of his first three races of the season. But in addition to twice claiming the pole in this race, he has finished among the top six in three of four career appearances. Considering Ferrari’s struggles to maintain pace this season, both the pole and the top of the podium appear to be a bridge too far. However, if the team has had any success at addressing technical concerns, Ferrari is worthy of a look as a +120 bet to produce a double top six finish.

McLaren Nowhere to Go but Up

The duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri enjoyed the benefit of the chaos on the track that resulted in eight DNFs in Melbourne, earning the team’s first points of the season with sixth and eighth place finishes, respectively. However, can the UK-based team stage a breakthrough on the tough street track in Baku?

Any hopes McLaren has of returning to form will hinge on the ability of Norris and Piastri to do well in qualifying on the city streets of Baku. According, a value wager paying out on +500 odds of the duo producing a double finish in the points is only for the faint of heart.

The Picks: Ferrari Double Top Six Finish (+120); Max Verstappen Fastest Lap and Win Race (+115)