Past performance in Baku not indicative of future results for Williams

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A repeat of last year's podium result with Lance Stroll is an unlikely prospect for Williams, but Paddy Lowe hopes to see continued progress for the Grove-based outfit in Baku.

Last year's event was a thriller, both for the fans and the competitors, and it was a special milestone for Lance Stroll who scored an unexpected but fully deserved podium finish along the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Williams technical director and partner Paddy Lowe knows the team will be challenged to reproduce that result, but the achievement could provide an extra boost to Stroll's motivation.

“We head to Baku for the third time this weekend, and it has proven to be a great addition to the Formula One calendar so far,” says Lowe.

“It is an exciting circuit with an incredible range of character from the slow track through the old city to the very long straight at the start-finish line.

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"Last year produced a very eventful race and memorable one for Williams, with Lance securing his first Formula One podium and indeed the only podium last year from a team not in the top three.

“For Lance it would be bold to expect another podium but he should perform well given his significant achievements in Baku last year.

“We look forward to returning to Baku and making the best of this race to put on a good show for our new Azerbaijani fans,” adds Lowe.

“Russia is also a close neighbour of Azerbaijan and so we expect some great support for Sergey in his first Formula One race there.'

Stroll isn't about to forget the joy and emotion he felt ten months ago. While scoring a top-10 finish is a long shot given his team's relative under-performance in 2018, the 19-year-old Canadian will still give it his all to wrestle a point or two next weekend.

“I have some great memories of Baku. It was my first podium in Formula One, so I shall never forget that, and the whole experience was amazing,” he admits.

“Not only is it a great circuit, but Baku itself is a nice place. I had never been before, so it was all new to me last year but there was definitely a lot to see in the city.

“The track is pretty spectacular to drive. It is a long lap and is a technical track with a bit of everything. Since it is a street circuit and there are walls all round it, there is no room for errors.”

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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.