Red Bull employee names the two drivers he expects to beat Max Verstappen in Baku

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Max Verstappen can definitively quash any talk of a title fight in the next two races. Following the back-to-back in Baku and Singapore, there’s a four-week break.

Red Bull’s performance in these two events will dictate the narrative during that autumn lull. If Lando Norris can substantially reduce his advantage, then there will be a great deal of excitement around the last six races.

But if Verstappen, who has largely prevented Norris from making major inroads, manages to more or less maintain the current 62-point gap, he’ll dampen expectations of any late drama. And on the face of it, he should take encouragement from Red Bull’s recent record in Azerbaijan.

They’ve won the last three editions, though unusually Sergio Perez has been responsible for two of those victories. Verstappen was on course for the top step in 2021 before a tyre failure, while a safety car played into Perez’s hands last year.

However, Helmut Marko expects Red Bull to struggle until Austin as they grapple with major handling issues on their RB20. Verstappen finished sixth in Monza last time out, matching his poorest result of the season.

The Dutchman is now enduring a six-race winless run and has only finished on the podium twice in that time. What’s more, he’s only qualified on pole for one of the last nine Grands Prix.

Red Bull’s Rudy van Buren backs Charles Leclerc to win again in Azerbaijan

Speaking on the Racing News 365 podcast, Red Bull simulator driver Rudy van Buren made his prediction for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He backed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to follow up his memorable Monza triumph with another win.

Van Buren regards Leclerc as a ‘street tiger’ after his Monaco victory earlier this year. He’s also taken three poles in the principality, as well as three in Baku and two in Singapore.

The Dutchman expects Norris to beat Verstappen to the runner-up spot. The McLaren driver has missed several victory opportunities this season but has matched the reigning champion for total podiums (10).

Van Buren said: “Leclerc wins – [he’s a] street tiger. Norris second. Max third. Piastri fourth. And Russell fifth.”

Why the Baku circuit will be like ‘poison’ for Max Verstappen’s RB20

The Baku City Circuit is naturally bumpy, while the middle sector features a sharp ascent through the notoriously tight castle section before the downhill run towards the last meaningful corners. These characteristics could spell trouble for Verstappen.

Indeed, journalist Ralf Bach says Baku will be like ‘poison’ for Red Bull. The Milton Keynes outfit seem to be weak on every circuit configuration right now.

Many believe their biggest points loss could come in Singapore, which was the only race they failed to win last year. The weekend stood out as a major aberration, with Verstappen only fifth and Perez eighth.

Red Bull’s ‘aged’ wind tunnel is apparently contributing to their issues. They’re not seeing a correlation between the data they’ve gathered and their performance on track.