Max Verstappen dominated the streets of Baku to take a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Starting from pole, the Red Bull driver controlled the race from the opening lap, managing tyre wear expertly and responding to the few challenges that came his way. By the chequered flag, he crossed the line 14.609 seconds ahead of second-place finisher George Russell, underlining both Red Bull’s superior pace and Verstappen’s precision on a circuit notorious for catching drivers out.
George Russell battled through physical discomfort to secure second for Mercedes, showcasing resilience and strategic intelligence. Despite struggling with his energy levels, he stayed focused throughout the 51-lap contest, defending his position against Carlos Sainz in the closing stages. Sainz completed the podium for Williams, marking a historic achievement: the team’s first podium finish since 2017, a testament to both his skill and the car’s unexpected competitiveness in Baku.
Kimi Antonelli impressed in his debut Mercedes season, finishing fourth just over 21 seconds behind Sainz. His performance highlighted both his adaptability and composure on the demanding street circuit. Liam Lawson also delivered a career-best fifth place for Racing Bulls, while Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top six, scoring valuable points for Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship and consolidating the team’s growing momentum.
McLaren endured a weekend to forget. Oscar Piastri suffered a false start, triggering the anti-stall system and crashing at Turn 5 on the opening lap, compounding his Sprint Race misfortune. Lando Norris salvaged seventh place but was unable to capitalize on the team’s earlier promising pace in practice and qualifying. The incidents highlighted the challenges McLaren faced under pressure and the fine margins on a track like Baku.
Ferrari’s day was marked by confusion and missed opportunities. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished eighth and ninth, respectively, after a miscommunication over team orders saw Hamilton remain ahead despite an agreement to swap if progress allowed. Meanwhile, retirements and incidents throughout the field, particularly Piastri’s early exit, reshuffled the points and emphasized just how unforgiving the Baku street circuit can be. The race left the championship tighter at the top, with multiple title contenders needing to regroup before the next round.
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