CLOSING THE GAP: Hamilton is looking to bag his first-ever victory in Baku to further shrink the 12-point lead Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari has over him for the championship. PHOTO: AFP
The three-time world champion's victory at the Canadian Grand Prix earlier this month — his sixth at the Montreal track — hauled him back within 12 points of championship leader Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and sharpened his appetite for a maiden success on the streets of Baku, the only venue on the current calendar where he has never won.
On the bus in Baku? 🚌#AzerbaijanGP #F1Baku pic.twitter.com/sKhBpdfOuB
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 21, 2017
"I was very quick there last year, but I just didn't deliver," said Hamilton. "So, this time, the plan is to make sure I deliver."
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After an inconsistent opening to the season in which he and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas have struggled badly at times, Hamilton bounced back to his best in Montreal to claim his third win in seven races as Mercedes produced a crushing one-two success.
He arrives in Baku with team boss Toto Wolff's praise endorsing his behaviour and performances.
BAKU 2016: A near miss for Gutierrez...not once, but twice 😯#AzerbaijanGP #F1Baku 🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/QNkuzBKIrv
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 21, 2017
"Lewis is in the best place I've seen him in any of the five years since I joined the team," said Wolff. "Not just because of Montreal, where he had a great weekend, but also because he is coping so well with the more difficult days. It's what the best are made of — when the going is tough, they get over it. They maximise their opportunities. And it's a long championship."
Referring to this year's 'new era' car, Wolff admitted it had posed challenges for the team and the drivers with its contrary and temperamental nature: happy and triumphant one week, sulky and unresponsive the next.
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"We've joked about it, saying it is a bit of a diva," he said. "I think it is the fastest on the grid and I wouldn't want any other."
Struggling Sauber, who have gleaned just four points this campaign, will have to cope in Baku without their team principal Monisha Kaltenborn who quit with immediate effect on Wednesday after media reported of major fallout over the unequal treatment of drivers Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein.
ONE DAY TO GO 🙌
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 22, 2017
Last year, FP1 in Baku didn't quite go to plan for @danielricciardo...#AzerbaijanGP #F1Baku 🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/ZCLZb0qPs9
Kaltenborn, 46, broke new ground when she was appointed as the first Formula One female team principal in 2010 but leaves "effective immediately," said Pascal Picci, the Sauber chairman. "We thank her for many years of strong leadership, great passion for the Sauber F1 Team and wish her the very best for the future. Her successor will be announced shortly."
Tolerance of the forecast 40 Celsius temperatures will be important over the race weekend.
Ferrari, traditionally strong in the hottest conditions, will hope to bounce back after Vettel left Canada unhappy at his own result despite a stirring drive through the field to finish fourth after a first lap collision.
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