DEEP DIVE: Piastri on Monza, Hamilton’s realism & more at Azerbaijan GP media day

As the F1 circus settles in for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Media Day in Baku delivered more than just photo ops. Several storylines emerged from Thursday that set the tone for what could be a dramatic weekend. From team orders fallout to driver health, here’s a look at the biggest discussions and what they might mean.

Oscar Piastri & McLaren: Controlling Their Fate

One of the primary narratives coming out of the media day was how Oscar Piastri and McLaren are handling the pressure of leading the championship. Piastri was asked whether the “papaya rules” — McLaren’s internal framework for when team swaps or orders are imposed — from Monza had changed how he views his own role. He seemed composed. While acknowledging the controversy, he expressed that despite last race’s team order (where he gave up second place to Lando Norris because of a slow pit stop), he still believes he can control the outcome of the championship.

“Monza was unusual, but certainly the car has been a step better this year … there’s more of a sense of inevitability,” Piastri said, underscoring his belief in McLaren’s improved performance.

McLaren may even have the chance to clinch the Constructors’ Championship this weekend in Baku — something Piastri noted with both pride and caution. The media sensed McLaren are treating this not just as another race, but as a potential crowning moment.

Hamilton’s Realism: “Podium, Not a Win” Mood

Lewis Hamilton, racing for Ferrari this season, didn’t sugarcoat matters at Media Day. He called a win in Baku “far-fetched,” given how much of the season has already gone, but he remained hopeful about chasing a podium.

Historically, Baku has been favorable to Hamilton — he’s won there before — and he acknowledged that, but stressed that for 2025, consistency and extracting every little improvement matter more than chasing unpredictable glory. The message: he’s focused on what’s realistically possible and pushing the team to maximize what they’ve got.

Alpine, Gasly & Looking to 2026

For Alpine, Media Day reinforced a season in rebuilding mode. Pierre Gasly reiterated that while 2025 has been tough — currently bottom of the Constructors’ Championship — he’s confident about the future, especially with regulatory changes ahead and their switch to Mercedes engines in 2026.

Gasly and Alpine emphasized the importance of driving cleanly and intelligently in Baku. The city circuit’s high risk profile throws up multiple dangers — walls are unforgiving, mistakes costly — so risk management is front of mind.

Absences, Illness & Young Drivers’ Reflections

• George Russell’s absence was a surprise. He missed media day due to illness. Mercedes confirmed he’s resting up, but expect normal FP1 activity from him if he recovers.
  

• Kimi Antonelli was asked to step in for Russell in the FIA press conference. He was reflective about his Monza weekend, admitting that while qualifying was strong, his race wasn’t as polished — especially on the harder tyre. He spoke of using that weekend as motivation going into Baku.
  

• Isack Hadjar was also asked about the constant speculation of his Red Bull promotion for 2026. He said he “has an idea” where things might lead but stressed that nothing is confirmed. He seems aware of the pressure but is doing his best to stay grounded.
  

Other Noteworthy Topics

• The “Papaya Rules” debate (McLaren’s internal rules about when team orders are used) came up again. With championship points tight and public scrutiny high, fans and media are curious whether Monza was a one-off or a sign of more team orders to come.
  

• Teams are also talking more about long-run pace. Several drivers mentioned that their qualifying was okay, but race simulations and long stints — especially with traffic and tyres — remain the weak link. For tracks like Baku with straights that stress cooling and tyres, that could matter a lot.
  

What It All Adds Up To: Expectations for the Weekend

Putting all that together, here are some predictions and what to watch for based on what was said at Media Day:

• McLaren will be pushing for a clean weekend. If they can avoid mistakes, they may well secure the Constructors’ title in Baku. Piastri seems mentally ready for that kind of opportunity.

• Red Bull may continue making life difficult; with Hadjar’s speculation in the air, Verstappen will be under pressure to show dominance or at least strong form.

• Ferrari, via Hamilton, will aim for solidity — qualifying strong, managing race pace carefully, hoping for laps that bring them into podium contention rather than the win.

• Alpine is likely to focus more on avoidable mistakes and collecting every point possible, rather than bold aggressive strategies — racecraft over risky overtaking.

• Keep an eye on younger drivers like Antonelli and Hadjar — their performances, particularly under tough conditions (tyre wear, traffic, qualifying pressure), will either strengthen or undermine rumors about seat changes for 2026.

Final Thoughts

Media Day in Baku painted the picture of a weekend where momentum, penalties, and precision will matter more than raw speed alone. With McLaren in prime position, Hamilton cautiously optimistic, Gasly focused on the future, and young names under the spotlight, Azerbaijan promises to deliver.

If Media Day is anything to go by, this could be the weekend that defines parts of the remainder of the season — whether through its implications for championships or its shaping role in the driver market.