Daijiworld Media Network - Baku

Baku, Sep 21: Max Verstappen delivered a flawless drive to claim a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, leading every lap in a dominant performance that reignited Red Bull’s challenge in the 2025 Formula One season.

While Verstappen cruised to his fourth win of the year and second in succession, McLaren's weekend unraveled as championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed out early, and teammate Lando Norris failed to capitalize, finishing seventh.

Verstappen Untouchable in Baku

The reigning world champion started from pole and never looked back, finishing over 14 seconds ahead of George Russell, who put in a strong recovery drive for Mercedes, and Carlos Sainz, who secured a sensational podium for Williams — the team’s first since Spa 2021.

Verstappen’s control over the race was absolute, as he not only led all 51 laps but also claimed the fastest lap, signalling a Red Bull resurgence just as McLaren seemed poised to wrap up the Constructors’ title.

Piastri Crashes, Norris Misses Opportunity

McLaren’s championship leader Oscar Piastri endured a nightmare weekend. After crashing in qualifying, he jumped the start in the race, triggering anti-stall and dropping to the back. Moments later, an aggressive move on Esteban Ocon at Turn 5 saw him lose grip and slam into the barrier — the only retirement of the race.

With Piastri out, the door opened for Lando Norris to close the championship gap. But despite a promising strategy, a botched pit stop and time lost in a DRS train meant Norris could only manage seventh, gaining just six points. The gap between the McLaren teammates is now 25 points, with seven races to go.

"We tried to use the strategy, but the pit stop didn’t help, and once you’re in that DRS train, it’s almost impossible," Norris said post-race.

Carlos Sainz Delivers for Williams

Starting second, Carlos Sainz held off strong competition to finish third, giving Williams a much-needed podium and himself a moment of redemption after a tough season since leaving Ferrari.

“It’s one of the highlights of my career,” Sainz said. “We’ve worked so hard, and this is the result we needed.”
Teammate Alex Albon crossed the line 13th but was handed a 10-second penalty for a mid-race collision with Franco Colapinto, adding to Williams’ mixed day.

Kimi Antonelli Impresses Again

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive debut season, finishing fourth after a clean and mature drive. He narrowly missed the podium but stayed clear of the chaos behind.

Liam Lawson Shines for Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson was one of the stars of the day, starting third and finishing fifth — a career-best result. The Racing Bulls driver fended off intense pressure from Yuki Tsunoda, Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton in the final laps to seal the top-five finish.

Tsunoda followed closely in sixth, also scoring his best result for the Red Bull junior outfit.

Midfield and Backmarkers

• Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both endured frustrating races, finishing outside the top six as Ferrari’s struggles continued.
• Isack Hadjar rounded out the top 10, securing valuable points for Racing Bulls.
• Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber), Ollie Bearman, and Alex Albon followed.
• Esteban Ocon, who started last due to an illegal rear wing, fought back to P14.
• Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, and Franco Colapinto completed the finishers, while Piastri was the only DNF.

Constructors’ Fight Heats Up

McLaren had arrived in Baku on the brink of securing the Constructors' Championship, but a messy weekend has delayed celebrations and opened the door for Red Bull to mount a late challenge.

Looking Ahead

The next round of the 2025 Formula One World Championship takes place at the Singapore Grand Prix on October 5, a high-downforce street circuit that could reshuffle the competitive order once again.

"This weekend has been incredible," Verstappen said. "The car felt amazing. Singapore will be tough, but we’ve got momentum now."

With seven races remaining, the title fight — once seen as a McLaren lock — may still have twists ahead.