Max Verstappen secured his second straight Formula 1 win by dominating the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the streets of Baku, while Oscar Piastri was forced to retire following a crash on the first lap. This dramatic event marked a significant shift in the championship battle, with Piastri’s setback opening the door for Verstappen and others to gain ground.
Verstappen, starting on hard tyres, methodically controlled the race pace and managed his only pitstop late on lap 41 of 51, switching to medium tyres. He finished well ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell, who recovered from illness to claim second place, and Carlos Sainz, who celebrated his first podium for Williams with a strong third.
Early Collision Derails Piastri’s Race and McLaren’s Momentum
The race took a dramatic turn early when Oscar Piastri, the Australian championship leader and McLaren driver, crashed out on the opening lap, further disrupting his team’s prospects. After a difficult qualifying session that left him ninth due to a setback in Q3, Piastri caused a false start and slipped to the back of the pack. Attempting to fight through the field, he locked up on the outside line at Turn 4 and struck the barriers at the same spot as his qualifying incident.
This misfortune compounded McLaren’s struggles, already reeling following Lando Norris’ retirement at Zandvoort a month earlier. Norris himself had a challenging race, qualified poorly and was unable to improve significantly, ultimately finishing seventh, which limited his gains in the championship race.
Russell’s Resilient Performance Places Mercedes Securely on the Podium
George Russell’s resilience was a highlight, recovering from illness and the chaos early in the race to finish second. After a restart on lap 5 shuffled Russell behind Tsunoda, with Mercedes teammate Antonelli fiercely defending, Russell soon overtook the Japanese driver and pushed forward. Throughout the race, Russell managed his tyre strategy well, taking control following Sainz’s pitstop on lap 28 to secure clear air and extend his gap.
Russell’s effort ensured Mercedes remained competitive, capitalising on both Verstappen’s blistering pace and the setbacks facing their rivals. Meanwhile, Antonio Antonelli, also running for Mercedes, held off late challenges to claim a solid position behind the leading trio.
Sainz Achieves Breakthrough Podium Despite Pressure from Rival Teams
Carlos Sainz delivered a flawless performance to earn a podium finish for Williams, a first for the Spanish driver with the team. Starting second on the grid, Sainz resisted pressure from Mercedes and Racing Bulls drivers but was unable to keep Russell behind for long after his pitstop.
The podium represented a rare bright spot in what has been a difficult season for Williams, rewarding Sainz’s consistency and precision on the demanding Baku circuit. His ability to fend off rivals such as Antonelli was crucial in securing third place and valuable points.
Midfield Battles Heat Up Between Lawson, Tsunoda, and Norris
Liam Lawson, starting in third for Racing Bulls, engaged in intense battles with drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and Charles Leclerc, all employing medium to hard tyre strategies. Despite successfully initially defending against Antonelli, Lawson was overtaken by the Italian but fought hard to maintain a strong position.
Lando Norris, despite a delayed pitstop aimed at gaining an advantage, failed to improve upon his starting position. A slow tyre change during his only stop compounded his difficulties, causing him to lose track position to Lawson and Leclerc. However, Norris clawed his way back to seventh by the race’s end, narrowly holding off a last-lap challenge from Tsunoda.
Lawson’s consistent defence, especially out of Turn 16 onto Baku’s long straight, helped him secure his career-best finish in fifth place. Tsunoda, under pressure but resilient, completed the top six, earning much-needed points for the Japanese driver.
Other Notable Performances and Penalties Affecting Midfield Positions
Lewis Hamilton also made gains by passing Leclerc to join the competitive battle led by Lawson, ultimately finishing eighth. Despite strong moments, Hamilton remained mostly a spectator in the intense midfield scramble.
Isack Hadjar claimed the final points-paying position in tenth after faltering early, while other midfield teams struggled to make the most of opportunities during the chaotic race start. Penalties on the day included Fernando Alonso receiving a five-second time penalty for a false start following Piastri, and Alex Albon handed a ten-second penalty for an aggressive move that spun Franco Colapinto.
Implications for the Championship and What Lies Ahead
Verstappen’s decisive victory strengthens his position as the driver to beat, demonstrating clear pace and control on Baku’s demanding street circuit. Conversely, Oscar Piastri’s early exit represents a major setback, increasing pressure on McLaren as they navigate the rest of the season’s challenges. Lando Norris’ inability to capitalize fully on his teammate’s misfortune means the title race remains finely balanced, with Piastri still leading by 25 points.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix underscored the unpredictability and intense competition within Formula 1 this year, offering fans a tense and dramatic spectacle that will likely shape strategies and driver mindsets for upcoming races.
