By: Eugene Upah
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured a dominant victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, marking his second consecutive win of the season. The four-time Formula One champion, who started from pole position, led the race from start to finish, never facing a significant challenge.
“This weekend has been incredible for us…for us to win here again is just fantastic,” Verstappen said in a post-race interview.
The victory was made easier by a disastrous start for championship leader Oscar Piastri. The Australian, who began the race in ninth position, crashed out on the first lap after an uncharacteristic series of errors. Piastri’s McLaren impacted the wall at turn five after he had already stalled at the start, leaving him at the back of the field.
Piastri’s first-lap exit gave his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, a prime opportunity to close the gap in the drivers’ championship. However, Norris was unable to capitalize, finishing the race in seventh place—the same position he started in—after a slow pit stop on lap 38.
Despite a disappointing day for McLaren, which missed the chance to clinch the constructors’ championship, it was a successful afternoon for Mercedes and Williams. George Russell of Mercedes, battling an illness all weekend, finished in a strong second place, while his teammate, 19-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, took fourth.
Rounding out the podium was Carlos Sainz, who secured Williams’ first top-three finish since 2021. The Spaniard called it the best moment of his career.
