Who are the favourites as Formula 1 heads to the streets of Baku for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Formula 1 heads to the streets of Baku this weekend as the season enters its latter stages, but who are the favourites to come out on top? Here are what the odds tell us…

Odds are provided by F1’s Official Betting Data Supplier ALT Sports Data, are subject to change and are presented in decimal form: for every $1 wagered you would win the figure represented by the odds; so, if Verstappen is favourite at 1.50, you would win $1.50 for every dollar bet.

THE ODDS FOR THE WIN

Baku was the location of Oscar Piastri’s second-ever F1 victory just 12 months ago, and since then, the Australian has bagged seven wins, averaging 2.38 across this campaign. He leads the 2025 Drivers’ Championship by 31 points from McLaren team mate, Lando Norris. The Briton bounced back at Monza after failing to finish the Dutch Grand Prix but has clinched top honours in four out of the last nine races.

Four-time World Champion Max Verstappen arrives in Eurasia fresh off his third trip to the top step of the podium this season. The low downforce at Monza suited his Red Bull, and he’ll be backing his chances coming into this weekend. However, a twisty middle sector to the lap may complicate car set-up.

THE ODDS FOR A PODIUM FINISH

Charles Leclerc has been Ferrari’s top-performing driver this year and just missed out on the champagne celebrations in Italy, finishing fourth. The Monegasque has reached the chequered flag inside the top three spots on five occasions this year and will be desperate to go one better on the streets of Baku this year after finishing runner-up in 2024.

Mercedes’ top dog, George Russell, last stood on the rostrum in Hungary and carries six podiums with him into this weekend at a venue where he has finished on the rostrum twice in three years.

THE ODDS FOR A TOP-SIX FINISH

The season has proven arduous for seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who has failed to clinch a top-three yet and has only achieved a top-six result in 50% of his starts. His best return is fourth place, which he’s achieved in three races.

Alex Albon continues to threaten the top-six places, with five to his name this campaign, but he just missed out at Monza, finishing seventh. Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from retirement at Monza when running strong.

THE ODDS FOR A TOP-10 FINISH

Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto is a prime candidate for a top-10 finish in Azerbaijan. The Brazilian has come into his own since Austria, scoring four top-10 finishes since F1 visited the Red Bull Ring. He crossed the line in eighth two weeks ago.

Another youngster making a habit of top-10 performances is Isack Hadjar, who backed up his rostrum in the Netherlands with a top-10 at Monza, his seventh such result of the season.

Kimi Antonelli has blown hot and cold in recent rounds but held his nerve to claim ninth in Italy on home soil, while Liam Lawson caps off our picks in this department, boasting a 50% top-10 return in his previous six appearances.

THE ODDS FOR WHO WILL BE FASTEST IN QUALIFYING

After snatching pole position in Italy, Max Verstappen tied Oscar Piastri for most front-row starts this year. The duo sit on five apiece, followed by Lando Norris, who has stopped the clock the quickest in four Saturday sessions in 2025.

Fast straights and low downforce will suit the RB21, so don’t be surprised if Verstappen rises with the quickest time on Saturday afternoon. However, he’ll have to dethrone Charles Leclerc, who has started from pole position in the last four Azerbaijan Grands Prix.

THE ODDS FOR THE WINNING CONSTRUCTOR

Red Bull sets up shop for the weekend with the best record in Baku of any Formula 1 team. The Milton Keynes team has taken the trophy in four of the last seven races.

Mercedes own three victories on this track, but none in the post-covid era, while McLaren sit with a lone triumph. The Woking establishment took the chequered flag on their last visit courtesy of Oscar Piastri, and sit on the cusp of the Teams’ Championship this weekend.

Continue Reading