Verstappen Wins Azerbaijan GP, Piastri Crashes Out
Max Verstappen delivers a masterclass performance to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Oscar Piastri's championship lead narrows after a first-lap crash. Read more.
“I know that if I get back to where I know I can be, then I'll be more than okay. So that's what I'm going to focus my energy on...”
Max Verstappen cruised to a dominant victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, starting from pole position and leading every lap to secure his second successive win. This impressive performance revived his slim title hopes, narrowing the gap with championship leader Oscar Piastri to 69 points.
Piastri's day took a turn for the worse when he crashed on the opening lap, ending his record streak of scoring in every race this season. This incident allowed Lando Norris to reduce Piastri's lead to 25 points. Norris, however, struggled to capitalize on the situation, finishing seventh after a slow 4.1-second pit stop limited his chances of scoring more points.
McLaren had aimed to secure their 10th Formula One constructors' title with seven rounds remaining but fell short. They now have to wait until the Singapore Grand Prix on October 5 to potentially seal the title. George Russell finished second for Mercedes, while Carlos Sainz claimed Williams' first podium since 2021 with a third-place finish.
Final Standings
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 1st place, 49:46.03
- George Russell (Mercedes): 2nd place, 14.609 seconds behind Verstappen
- Carlos Sainz (Williams): 3rd place
- Lando Norris (McLaren): 7th place
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren): DNF (Did Not Finish) due to crash on lap 1
George Russell delivered an impressive performance, crossing the finish line in second place for Mercedes. This result propelled the team to second place in the standings, although they still trail McLaren by 333 points. With 346 points remaining up for grabs, the battle for the top spot is far from over.
THE TOP 10 IN BAKU 👀
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 21, 2025
A sensational result for Sainz and some stellar drives from Antonelli, Lawson and Tsunoda 👏👏👏#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/Z2cHQ8Sff8
Carlos Sainz etched his name in history by securing Williams's first podium finish of the season. Crossing the finish line in third place, Sainz's achievement marked a significant milestone for the team and demonstrated his exceptional driving skills.
Lando Norris's chances of scoring more points were dashed due to a slow pit stop, a recurring issue for the second successive race. Norris started and finished seventh, leaving him to ponder what could have been with a more efficient pit strategy.
Max Verstappen claimed a dominant victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading from pole to flag and setting the fastest lap for a “Grand Slam.” This win revived his slim title hopes, narrowing the gap with championship leader Oscar Piastri to 69 points. Verstappen's performance was impressive, showcasing his exceptional driving skills and strategy.
Verstappen's Post-Race Comments
“I think this weekend has been incredible for us,” Verstappen said after securing his 67th career win and fourth of the season. “For us to win here again is just fantastic. We had clean air all the time, and you could then look after your tyres. And yeah, it was pretty straightforward.” Verstappen's ability to manage his tires effectively played a crucial role in his victory, allowing him to maintain a strong pace throughout the race.
The win marked Verstappen's second consecutive victory, demonstrating Red Bull's resurgence in form. Meanwhile, Piastri's first-lap crash and Lando Norris's seventh-place finish allowed Verstappen to close the gap in the championship standings. With seven races remaining, the title fight is heating up, and Verstappen's momentum could pose a significant challenge to McLaren's dominance.
George Russell, still recovering from illness, was thrilled to bounce back from a challenging weekend with a strong finish, securing second place for Mercedes. This result marked a welcome respite from his struggles, showcasing his determination and skill despite not being at full strength.
Carlos Sainz beamed with joy as he stood on the podium, reveling in his third-place finish. “I cannot describe how happy I am and how good this feels. It tastes even better than my first ever podium,” he exclaimed, highlighting the significance of this achievement for the Spanish driver. Sainz's enthusiasm underscored the importance of this result for both him and the Williams team.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix's opening lap was marred by a significant incident involving Oscar Piastri. The Australian driver, who had crashed in qualifying and started ninth, jumped the start and was subsequently relegated to the back of the field. Before he could regroup, Piastri lost control and crashed into the wall at turn five, ending his race prematurely. This unfortunate sequence of events compounded the disappointment for McLaren, who had high hopes for their drivers.
Oscar Piastri's Azerbaijan Grand Prix ended in disaster when he crashed out on the opening lap, bringing an abrupt end to his remarkable run of 34 consecutive points finishes. The Australian driver jumped the start, dropping to the back of the field, and then lost control at Turn 5, slamming into the wall and eliminating himself from the race. “Certainly not my finest moment,” Piastri admitted to Sky Sports. “I just anticipated the start too much and yeah...silly simple error really.” Piastri's uncharacteristic mistake handed his teammate Lando Norris and title rival Max Verstappen an opportunity to close the gap in the championship standings.
Piastri's crash marked a significant turning point in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the Safety Car deployed to allow marshals to clear the track. The incident not only ended Piastri's streak of consecutive points finishes but also dealt a blow to McLaren's hopes of securing the constructors' title. Despite the setback, Piastri remains optimistic, stating, “I know that if I get back to where I know I can be, then I'll be more than okay. So that's what I'm going to focus my energy on.”
Kimi Antonelli delivered an impressive performance, crossing the finish line in fourth place for Mercedes. This result marked a significant rebound for the Italian rookie, who had struggled during his home race weekend at Monza. Antonelli's drive demonstrated his growing skills and adaptability in the competitive world of Formula 1.
Liam Lawson capped off an exceptional weekend with a career-high fifth-place finish for Racing Bulls. The New Zealander showcased his talent and experience, outpacing several top drivers to secure a well-deserved points finish. Lawson's result highlighted his potential and contribution to his team's success.
Yuki Tsunoda put together a solid drive, finishing sixth for Red Bull. His performance underscored his capabilities as a driver, particularly in challenging racing conditions. Tsunoda's ability to navigate the complexities of the Baku City Circuit and secure points for his team was notable.
Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished eighth and ninth, respectively. The team had instructed the drivers to swap positions, with Hamilton, who had fresher tires, ultimately finishing ahead. This strategic decision highlighted the team's focus on optimizing their performance and maximizing points.
Isack Hadjar completed a successful day for Racing Bulls, finishing tenth and securing a double points finish alongside teammate Liam Lawson. The French rookie demonstrated his skills and contributed to his team's positive outcome.
Lando Norris faced a tough challenge in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, losing a place to Hadjar and then being passed by Leclerc after the safety car period. Norris managed to follow Leclerc past Hadjar, whose car had suffered a hydraulics issue before the start. However, a slow pit stop cost him critical seconds, limiting his chances of catching the leaders. He ultimately passed Leclerc with 10 laps remaining but was unable to overtake Tsunoda. “I did the best I could yesterday, the best I could today,” Norris said, reflecting on his performance.
Drama on the first lap! 😵
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 21, 2025
Here's Piastri heading into the wall and out of the race ❌#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/SN9cCVjSGL
Despite his best efforts, Norris finished seventh, feeling that he had done all he could. His slow pit stop proved costly, preventing him from capitalizing on opportunities to gain more points. Norris's comments highlighted the difficulties he faced during the race, including the challenging track conditions and the competitive field.
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