Max Verstappen says he has “unfinished business…after last year” in Azerbaijan after a tyre blowout in the closing stages cost the Dutchman a very likely victory.

The Red Bull driver has shown tremendous raw speed on the streets of Baku but is yet to be rewarded with a podium finish.

Verstappen currently leads the world championship with a slim nine point advantage over his nearest rival Charles Leclerc.

Despite his run of horrible luck at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the reigning world champion is eagerly anticipating the race at at circuit where setup is crucial. 

The 24-year-old said: “I’m looking forward to returning to Baku.

“It’s a tricky track with big braking zones and a tight run off, finding the best set up for the car will be difficult in terms of making sure we get the correct wing level.

“It will also be interesting to see if we can make our one lap performance better for qualifying as we’ve been lacking a little.”

Verstappen is also delighted to see his Mexican team mate Sergio Perez sign a contract extension with the Milton Keynes based squad.

He explained: “It’s great that Checo has signed a contract extension with the Team, it’s nice to have the continuity and I get on really well with him.”

Perez is riding the crest of a wave after his maiden Monaco Grand Prix victory and currently sits third in the Drivers’ Standings just 15 points behind his team mate.

The 32-year-old also won last years event in Baku picking up the scraps after Verstappen’s tyre failure and Lewis Hamilton’s agonising lock up at the restart.

The Mexican is hoping to replicate the impressive feat this year amongst the intense pressure of a championship fight in The Land of Fire.

He said: “The Championship fight is really tight, so we need to be totally focused. It was very special winning my first race with the Team in Baku last season, it brought me great joy.

Perez also discussed his love of street tracks as the driver can make up a huge amount of lap time: “I like street circuits because it is where the driver can really make the difference, of course it is easier to make a mistake when you’re trying to go on the limit, but at the end of the day that is what gives you the tenths you need to be competitive.”