Verstappen’s “priority” on Rediscovering Form in Baku

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has iterated that his “priority” is to get his form back in Baku at 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Verstappen is currently on a six-race winless streak but still lead the drivers’ championship by 62 points from McLaren’s Lando Norris.

The 26 year-old only finished sixth in Monza, Italy, and is now desperate to return to winning ways if he is to avoid the risk of his title lead dwindling further.

“Monza was a tough race and it is our priority to get our form back to where it needs to be.

“We always want to be more competitive and the Team has been working hard to improve the issues we have been seeing with the car from the past few races.”

Verstappen won the Azerbaijan GP in 2022 and is relishing the return to Baku, although this is the first time that F1 have visited the city in September, having previously ran in late April or June.

“It is always a good challenge coming here and is an interesting track to drive, being a street circuit with long straights, so we are ready to get back racing again and see what the weekend brings.”

Verstappen’s teammate and two-time race winner in Baku, Sergio Perez echoed the three-time champion’s sentiments, yet iterated that the team must unite if they want to return to winning ways on the streets of Baku.

“To get back to where we should be on the grid it will take a Team effort and you can see that everyday in Milton Keynes and at track, this has pulled us all together and we are confident we are going to be heading in the right direction.”

Five of Perez’s six F1 victories came on street circuits so the Mexican is keen to test himself this weekend, although he warned that clean practice sessions will be key to his chances of victory.

“Baku is always a fun track, I personally love racing there, street circuits suit my style and I love testing myself on them.

“It will be interesting for us to see how the RB20 reacts there, practice is going to be especially important to us and then it’ll be about putting everything we have learnt about the car over the past few weeks to work.”