European F1 Grand Prix 2017: Key Storylines, Early Predictions for Azerbaijan

After the thrills of Canada, the Formula One circus heads back to Europe with Azerbaijan hosting the European Grand Prix on June 25. 

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton won in Montreal to cut Sebastian Vettel's lead at the top of the drivers' championship to 12 points.

The Ferrari driver endured an eventful race, fighting back to fourth after having to change his front wing early on.

This season is turning out to be a battle between the two drivers who have both won three races each so far.

Vettel took the chequered flag in Australia, Bahrain and Monaco, while Hamilton has won in China, Spain and Canada and heads to Azerbaijan boosted by a dominant showing last time out:

Key Storylines

Title fight continues in Baku

Hamilton and Vettel look set to continue their battle for the title, with the two drivers now well clear of the chasing pack. Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas is third and already 48 points behind Vettel after seven races.

Mercedes showed in Canada they have worked hard to resolve the problems they struggled with in Monaco, when Hamilton was left searching for the right setup and struggled for grip.

Yet Vettel may not be too disappointed, as an aggressive drive in Canada saw him fight back to fourth after dropping to 18th, and his display impressed supporters who named him driver of the day in Montreal:

Baku hosted the race for the first time last year, which saw Vettel finish second, while Hamilton was down in fifth after suffering technical problems.

McLaren's patience wearing thin

Elsewhere in the pack, attention will again focus on the growing acrimony between McLaren and Honda, after Fernando Alonso was forced to retire with engine failure in Canada.

The team are yet to score a point this season, and while the chassis is strong the engine is unreliable and lacking in power, and the team appear to be rapidly losing patience.

Per Oliver Brown at the Telegraph, McLaren want to end their relationship with Honda after race director Eric Boullier labelled their performance in Montreal "gut-wrenching."

The team also risk losing Fernando Alonso if they remain uncompetitive, with journalist James Allen reporting he could be tempted away:

Force India eye more points

Force India are enjoying a fine season, having had both of their drivers score points every race, bar Monaco this season.

It could have been even better in Canada with Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon looking set to finish fourth and fifth, and even eyeing a podium, as they closed in on Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Perez was asked to let the quicker Ocon go past him if he could not overtake the Red Bull but refused, per Natasha Henry at the Telegraph. Ultimately, that decision allowed Vettel to finish fourth.

It was a rare error in judgement from Force India who, on the evidence of the season so far, should be battling for points once again in Baku.

Prediction

The result in Canada, as Mercedes picked up their first one-two of the season, indicates the team have closed the gap on Ferrari and suggests there may be very little to choose between the two teams.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has claimed his team will struggle at the circuit, per Autosport.

Hamilton has the momentum after Canada but suffered what he described as his "worst qualifying session ever" last year in Baku, per BBC Sport.

Ferrari, meanwhile, need to respond after being outperformed last time out, and another aggressive, high-risk approach from Vettel could be enough to secure victory.

Vettel to nick it from Hamilton