Verstappen Wins in Baku; Russell and Sainz on the Podium, Piastri Accident

Verstappen Dominates Azerbaijan Grand Prix; McLaren Suffers

Max Verstappen took the victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while McLaren’s weekend on the streets of Baku was chaotic. Oscar Piastri suffered an accident on the first lap, and Lando Norris secured a seventh place. After a disastrous qualifying session for McLaren on Saturday, Verstappen started from the pole position, while Norris and Piastri began from seventh and ninth position, respectively. Piastri’s race was complicated from the start. He moved before the lights went out, activated his car’s anti-stall system, and dropped to the back of the grid at the first corner. While trying to regain positions on the first lap, Piastri ran wide at Turn 5, locked the front brakes, and crashed into the barriers.

I think, ultimately, I misjudged the grip level. Probably a lot of that is from the dirty air [of the cars in front], but I know I shouldn’t expect the lack of grip. I don’t blame anything else. It was two simple mistakes on my part that I caused today.

Oscar Piastri

This incident marked the end of Piastri’s error-filled weekend, who also crashed in qualifying. Norris, who had the opportunity to cut points from his teammate, couldn’t capitalize on Piastri’s mistake, finishing in seventh place.

McLaren boss Stella: Even Schumacher made mistakes like Piastri. The result means that Norris has reduced the gap in the standings to 25 points, the same amount as a victory, with seven races remaining. Norris could have secured fifth place and four additional points if it weren’t for a slow pit stop, which frustrated his chances of overtaking Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull in sixth place and Liam Lawson of Racing Bull in fifth.

Piastri was given a five-second penalty for his jump start, but, according to the FIA stewards’ guidelines, it will not be converted into a grid penalty in the next race.

Just a miscalculation with the lights, I guess I tried to anticipate too much. Yes, a simple mistake and then I went into the anti-stall and from there it was downhill, so, just a simple mistake.

Oscar Piastri

McLaren’s lowest points total this year also meant that the team missed the opportunity to secure the defense of the constructors’ championship, which will now likely be won in the next round in Singapore. Verstappen’s victory, his fourth of the season and the second in a row, puts him 69 points ahead of Piastri in the drivers’ championship.

This weekend has been incredible for us. Monza was already great, but for us to win here is fantastic. The car worked very well with both compounds. We had clean air all the time, so we were able to take care of the tires, and it was quite straightforward… it’s never easy around here, a lot of wind today, so the car was moving a lot. I am incredibly happy with this performance.

Max Verstappen

The Red Bull driver was in a class of his own at the front of the grid after holding the lead at the start ahead of Carlos Sainz, who started second. Sainz held on to third place at the end, Williams’ first podium since their second place at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, behind George Russell, who used an alternative strategy to move from fifth to second place for Mercedes.

I can’t describe how happy I am and how good it feels. It tastes even better than my first podium.

Carlos Sainz

Meanwhile, Russell, who wasn’t feeling well at the beginning of the weekend, said:

First of all, congratulations to Carlos and Williams. An incredible result for them.

George Russell

Russell and Antonelli’s 2-4 result ensured that Mercedes would be in second place in the constructors’ championship, four points ahead of Ferrari. Lawson’s fifth place was the best of his career, while Tsunoda, who replaced Lawson at Red Bull after two rounds earlier this season, secured his best result of the season with the senior Red Bull team in sixth place. Lewis Hamilton finished in eighth place, behind the battle for fifth place between Lawson, Tsunoda and Norris. The seven-time champion was ceded eighth place by his teammate Charles Leclerc, who was out of contention for a position in the top six after pitting significantly earlier than his rivals. Hamilton tried to give the position back to Leclerc at the end when he failed to make progress in overtaking the cars in front, but still crossed the line ahead of his teammate. Isack Hadjar secured the last point on offer for Racing Bulls.