There was no disputing Lewis Hamilton's authority in Montreal, but Baku could prove a more difficult challenge for the Brit.

Hamilton still lags Sebastian Vettel by 12 points in the championship standings and he'll likely have to claw back that deficit inch by inch.

Last year, Baku saw an error-ridden performance by the Mercedes driver who just couldn't find the rhythm around F1's fastest street circuit.

Always the fighter, Hamilton will be determined to erase his poor track record in Azerbaijan and close in even more on Vettel.

 

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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