2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sleeper Picks
It’s been several weeks since the intense race at Melbourne. We’re now back on track and about to enjoy the first street circuit race of the season at Baku. But, this is not your usual weekend in Azerbaijan. Baku will unveil its first-ever sprint qualifying. That means a shortened practice session and qualifying on Friday.
Saturday features what Formula 1 introduces as “Sprint Shootout”. The difference between the new format and your usual sprint race is Saturday’s sprint will not affect Sunday’s starting order. This arrangement brings more action without drivers uneasy about taking risks and losing positions for Sunday’s race. Sprint race winners are offered a maximum of eight points to make up for the changes.
With the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix and its new sprint setup about to go underway, it’s also worth checking out the lurking sleepers. Nitrobetting goes over a few drivers that could make things interesting at Baku.
Top Sleeper Picks for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
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READ MORE: 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix F1 Odds, Preview, and Prediction
Lando Norris
- 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Odds: +30,000
McLaren’s number-one driver did well in the previous Australian GP. He finished P6 and his best result of the season so far. Last year, Lando qualified in P11 and closed his run in ninth place. We’ve seen him slowly improve after a few poor races and look to have gained a bit of pace since.
Norris is yet to win his first Grand Prix. In 85 races, the British driver scored six podiums and started on pole once. So far this season, the 23-year-old scored eight points and is expected to fight several podium opportunities this year. We know he has what it takes to put pressure on the frontrunners. However, McLaren has to provide him with a reliable car for the rest of the season. That is a variable the Surrey-based team needs to overcome to keep the Constructors’ midfield within arm’s reach.
Pierre Gasly
- 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Odds: +30,000
The Frenchman hopes for a positive return to Formula 1 this weekend. Gasly suffered a late collision with teammate Esteban Ocon in a wild Australian Grand Prix. Their incident forced a double retirement despite the pair running well inside the points. Nevertheless, the former AlphaTauri is a proven race winner and is capable of hanging with the leaders with a proper car in his hands. In 111 Grand Prix starts, the 27-year-old secured three podiums, three fastest laps, and a best finish of P1.
Gasly is tied with Alpine driver Esteban Ocon and competitors Oscar Piastri, and Valtteri Bottas at four points. The French constructors are also outside the Constructor Standings top five, falling behind midfield rivals McLaren and Aston Martin. Gasly could turn things around and yield better results moving forward if the Enstone-based team delivers its promised upgrades for the team in Baku this weekend.
Alexander Albon
- >2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Odds: +75,000
The new format worries and excites many. Going into Baku, Alex Albon needs to get his confidence up after crashing in Australia. The Thai-British driver was running well until spinning out his FW45. Azerbaijan presents a familiar track where Albon has raced a few times. If the car remains composed in one corner then expect the same for the rest of the track. This is what Williams needs to overcome to keep their midfield contention hopes alive this season.
As for Albon, he remains a great sleeper pick after showcasing a solid P10 finish in Bahrain last March. He did encounter a pair of DNFs in the last two races. But, the former Red Bull driver can drive the wheels off of that Williams–figuratively, of course. His two career podium finishes are enough to back him as a surprise winner of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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