Max Verstappen dominated the Baku City Circuit to claim a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Starting from pole, the Red Bull driver controlled the pace from the opening lap, managing tyre wear expertly and navigating the tricky street sections without error. By the finish, Verstappen had built a 14.609-second advantage over second-place George Russell, underscoring both the car’s performance and his own precision on one of the season’s most demanding circuits.
George Russell showed remarkable resilience to finish second for Mercedes despite battling illness. He stayed focused throughout the 51-lap race, defending against late pressure and capitalizing on mistakes further down the grid. Carlos Sainz completed the podium in third, securing Williams’ first podium since 2017, a major achievement that highlighted both his skill and the team’s remarkable setup for the weekend.
Kimi Antonelli impressed in his debut season, finishing fourth for Mercedes just over 21 seconds behind Sainz. Liam Lawson achieved a career-best fifth place for Racing Bulls, while Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top six, contributing crucial points toward Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship campaign. These results emphasized the competitiveness of the midfield and the importance of consistency in a race filled with potential hazards.
McLaren’s race was disappointing. Oscar Piastri triggered the anti-stall system with a false start and crashed at Turn 5 on the opening lap, compounding his Sprint Race misfortune. Lando Norris managed to finish seventh, salvaging points but unable to capitalize on the strong pace McLaren showed in practice and qualifying. The events highlighted the fine margins at Baku, where a small error can have major consequences.
Ferrari also faced challenges, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finishing eighth and ninth, respectively, following a miscommunication regarding team orders. Hamilton remained ahead despite the agreement to swap if possible, later apologizing for the oversight. Retirements and early incidents, particularly Piastri’s exit, reshaped the points distribution and emphasized Baku’s reputation as an unforgiving street circuit, where focus and precision are paramount.
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