The Formula 1 maturity certificate: Azerbaijan

SEBASTIAN VETTEL: The big turnaround in the title fight was supposed to happen, but instead Sebastian Vettel suffered the next setback. The Heppenheimer made no mistake - and yet he is currently powerless in his Ferrari against these "phenomenal" Silver Arrows. The 31-year-old doesn't want to give up after his third place, but his announcements after the fourth of 21 races already sound like slogans for perseverance.

CHARLES LECLERC: The 21-year-old was already celebrated as a child prodigy after his good start to the season, but then the Monegasque made a momentous mistake in qualifying and drove the second Ferrari into the wall. Afterwards, Vettel's teammate did some damage control in fifth place, but Baku left Leclerc somehow disenchanted.

VALTTERI BOTTAS: Slowly but surely the Finn is becoming a real contender for the title. The 29-year-old has been growing a ten-day beard since this year, which is probably intended to underline his fierce determination to show it to everyone. Bottas doesn't just want to be Lewis Hamilton's butler in 2019, he is apparently very serious about attacking the title. He didn't make the slightest wobble, his second win of the season was well deserved.

LEWIS HAMILTON: The world champion now somehow seems to be above things. Five World Cup titles probably make you calm. The Briton was able to grant his teammate victory, knowing full well that he will normally be unbeatable over the course of the season. Hamilton is racing against the records of Michael Schumacher; he wants to become a legend like Ayrton Senna. His opponents are only called Bottas and Vettel on paper.

RENAULT: The French factory team with Nico Hülkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo actually wanted to close the gap to the top teams Ferrari and Mercedes this season. Well, nothing seems to come of it. The yellow racers are perhaps the biggest disappointment so far; in Baku there were once again no points and a rather embarrassing performance. The highlight was the crash of Ricciardo, who drove backwards into Daniil Kvyat's car in a bizarre scene. “That was pretty shitty of me,” said the Australian.

SAYING OF THE WEEKEND: “Apparently Renault has no budget for rear-view mirrors. I'll get him some for the next race." (Kwjat about the scene with Ricciardo)

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The Formula 1 maturity certificate: Azerbaijan

In our Monday section we will once again be looking at the Formula 1 weekend and its protagonists.

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