Points an option for Norris at unpredictable Baku

©McLaren

McLaren's Lando Norris is preparing for an exciting weekend in Baku, a venue typically known for throwing up a few surprises on race day.

Norris will tackle the challenging street circuit for the very first time in an F1 car but the 19-year-old is well acquainted with the uncompromising track that takes no prisoners.

"Back to Baku! I had an interesting weekend there last year in F2, but I’m looking forward to running that long straight in an F1 car," said the Brit ahead of this weekend's fourth round of the world championship.

"It’s an exciting track and I’m hoping it will give me a more exciting race than China, if we’re lucky we’ll have the chance to score some points."

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Luck can prove to be a major ally in Azerbaijan as a look back at the last few races in Baku reveals.

Two years ago, a fortuitous turn of events gifted a win to Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo while Williams Lance Stroll was also a surprise visitor to the podium. And last year, it was Force India's Sergio Perez who lucked into an unexpected third-place finish.

However, to be on the receiving end of lady luck in Baku, one must first remain out of harm's way, a fact not lost on Norris.

"This street circuit is a little less forgiving than Australia and small mistakes can be punished harshly, so my focus is on avoiding that wherever possible.

"I want to be fighting for the duration of the race."

©McLaren

However, steering clear of trouble and hoping for a bout of luck won't amount to much on Sunday without the underlying support of a flawless race strategy, as McLaren sporting director Gil de Ferran pointed out.

"A street race brings that extra degree of uncertainty, so race strategy is also challenging," said the Brazilian.

"Our pit-stop performances have been very good this year, so continuing to execute well on both of these fronts is certainly our goal."

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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.