After a very long four-week break, F1 finally returns as the drivers arrive in Baku for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
As expected given his current lead in the World Drivers' Championship, Max Verstappen has again been made the heavy favourite to win this weekend but danger could lie ahead.
On top of the fact that the Dutch driver has previously struggled a bit in Baku, this weekend also sees the first Sprint race of the season which will put each car through additional workload that could lead to problems.
Ahead of the action getting underway, The Sporting News dives through all of the odds to give you the best bets and tips for the upcoming 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
MORE: F1 2023 season predictions, odds, betting tips and best bets
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023 odds to win
Once again this season, Max Verstappen has been made the huge favourite to win the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
That said, this weekend could prove a challenge for the Red Bull driver. For a start, it's the first Sprint race of the season which always raises the risk of damage throughout the weekend. Secondly, Verstappen has had a pretty rough time around Baku before in his career. He's won here twice but he's also failed to finish this race on three occasions.
In the latest odds he's followed by teammate Sergio Perez who currently sits a distance infront of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
Full list of odds for drivers to win the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), Neds (Australia) and Dafabet (India). Odds correct as of April 26.
| Driver | BetMGM | Sports Interaction |
Sky Bet | Neds | Dafabet |
| Max Verstappen | -200 | 1.37 | 2/5 | 1.40 | 1.36 |
| Sergio Perez | +450 | 5.19 | 9/2 | 6.00 | 5.00 |
| Fernando Alonso | +1000 | 11.00 | 10/1 | 11.00 | 11.00 |
| Lance Stroll | +6600 | 92.00 | 66/1 | 81.00 | 101.00 |
| Charles Leclerc | +1400 | 27.00 | 22/1 | 19.00 | 29.00 |
| Carlos Sainz | +2200 | 37.00 | 28/1 | 23.00 | 41.00 |
| George Russell | +1600 | 23.00 | 22/1 | 23.00 | 34.00 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +1200 | 9.00 | 14/1 | 13.00 | 13.00 |
| Lando Norris | +25000 | 346.00 | 750/1 | 251 | 1001.00 |
| Esteban Ocon | +20000 | 527.00 | 500/1 | 201 | 601.00 |
| Pierre Gasly | +10000 | 276.00 | 500/1 | 101 | 601.00 |
| Oscar Piastri | +100000 | 1365.00 | 1000/1 | 1001 | 1501.00 |
| Kevin Magnussen | +150000 | 1365.00 | 1000/1 | 1501 | 1501.00 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | +5000 | 1112.00 | 1000/1 | 501 | 1501.00 |
| Alex Albon | +5000 | 578.00 | 1000/1 | 501 | 1501.00 |
| Zhou Guanyu | +250000 | 1501.00 | 1500/1 | 2501 | 2501.00 |
| Valtteri Bottas | +250000 | 600.00 | 1500/1 | 2501 | 2501.00 |
| Nyck de Vries | +300000 | 2001.00 | 2000/1 | 3001 | 3001.00 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | +200000 | 2001.00 | 1500/1 | 2501 | 2501.00 |
| Logan Sargeant | +300000 | 1667.00 | 2000/1 | 3001 | 3001.00 |
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023: Best bet
- Pick: Max Verstappen to win the 2023 Azerbaijan GP by 10+ seconds
- Odds: 6/4 (SkyBet)
With Verstappen in such incredible form over the past year and a half, it's becoming almost impossible to head into a race weekend and not seeing him win on the Sunday.
Couple that form with the fact that his Red Bull car is so far ahead of the field and instead of just backing him to win here, we've taken Sky Bet up on the option that he'll win this race by 10 seconds or more and take his third race victory of 2023.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023: Prop bet
- Pick: Any driver other than Max Verstappen to win the 2023 Azerbaijan GP
- Odds: +140 (BetMGM)
Although Verstappen remains the driver to beat in F1 this season and we've picked him to have more success again here, we've already touched upon his prior up-and-down form at this track so covering against him could be an avenue for profit.
The Dutchman has twice taken victory here but on three occasions has failed to finish the race, most notably seen in 2021 when his Red Bull car suffered a dramatic puncture down the start/finish straight.
The first Sprint Race of the season could also play into his rivals hands here in Baku. Alright, chances are that he'll stroll away with wins in both sessions given his current form but with the added pressure and chance of damage on Saturday added into the mix which could cause some car problems, this bet doesn't seem too unfeasible.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023: Flier bet
- Pick: Leclerc, Sainz & Verstappen Top 6 Finish, Norris & Perez Points Finish
- Odds: 11/2 (Sky Bet)
If you're looking for some solid value ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, make sure you check markets involving the Ferrari drivers ahead of this race.
Given their torrid start to the year, their prices are inflated for Sunday's race which is perhaps warranted but after a month long break, the Italian team could start their comeback here.
With the long straights of Baku, both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz should be able to stay with the top runners easier and for longer here, especially Leclerc who has taken previous pole positions here.
Elsewhere in this bet, Verstappen should easily finish in the top six even with any potential problems, whilst teammate Sergio Perez should secure a points finish at minimum.
Lando Norris also adds some extra value into this bet. After his own poor start to the 2023 season, the McLaren driver has since regained some form which saw him finish P6 last time out. The Brit has also finished in the points on all three of his prior trips to Baku which is a big positive.