Lewis Hamilton will arrive in Azerbaijan with a six-point lead over Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas at the summit of Formula One's standings.

The world champion, 34, is bidding to win the race in Baku for a second time and secure his third victory in as many grands prix this season.

Here, Press Association Sport dissects the key talking points ahead of Sunday's race.

1. Championship leader Hamilton keen to improve

Max Verstappen has looked handy in his Red Bull this season, without really threatening to win. But both the Dutchman and his Red Bull team will hope Honda's brand new engine, in place for this weekend, will provide the power boost required to tackle Mercedes and Ferrari at Baku's high-speed circuit.

4. Baku bidding for thrilling hat-trick

Eyebrows were raised when Bernie Ecclestone took Formula One to Azerbaijan in 2016. Yet, the combination of its long straights, slow corners, and narrow track, has ensured the unique street circuit has quickly become a firm favourite. Hamilton and Vettel banged wheels two years ago as Ricciardo took the chequered flag. Last year, Ricciardo and Verstappen dramatically collided at 220mph. What drama lies in store this weekend?

5. Raikkonen to spring a surprise

And on that note, now could be the time to place a wager on an unlikely top-three finisher. Since 2016, Baku is the only race that a driver from outside the big three – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull – has finished on the podium. Sergio Perez (Force India – now called Racing Point F1) has placed third on two occasions (2016 and 2018), while Lance Stroll secured an unlikely third for Williams in 2017. Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen is 50/1 to finish on the podium on Sunday. You heard it here first.