Oscar Piastri wins Azerbaijan GP as Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez crash out in thrilling climax

The stewards will inspect at that incident now but I cannot inspect it being any individual but Sainz’s fault. He drove brilliantly all weekend in a fashion that Verstappen was just no longer in a position to. But he goes home with zero points. 

Red Bull deposed for the first time this season and… successfully, when was the last time they didn’t lead the constructors? On the begin of 2022?

I attempted at the begin to safe in entrance but after I dropped out of the hasten I just didn’t trust the hobble. After the finish I saw we were glowing shut again and I felt be pleased we had a tiny little bit of additional grip and I had to head for it as a outcome of I knew that if I didn’t safe past at the begin of the stint I was by no manner going to safe past, so went for a glowing immense lunge but managed to drag it off and hung on for dear lifestyles for the subsequent 34 laps. 

The following couple of laps once he dropped out of DRS were a tiny bit extra relaxing. But there’s no such thing as a relaxing lap around right here. It was exhausting work but that definitely goes down as certainly one of many better races in my profession. 

Considering where we started when I joined the team last year, we were actually last and now we’re leading the world championship, so it’s elephantine credit rating to the team for the turnaround we’ve managed to trust in my 18 months right here. In the beginning in improving the automobile but additionally helping me enhance as successfully. Results be pleased this definitely weren’t imaginable twelve months in the past for myself. It’s a massive team effort an enraged to inspect what the long hasten holds. 

59 points the gap with seven rounds and three sprints remaining. 8.43 is the magic number for Norris, the volume of points he needs to take out of Verstappen to take the title, assuming Leclerc doesn’t attain something extraordinary. One other missed opportunity for Norris right here or no longer it’s far a must to whine, even though Sunday was a lot better than Saturday. 

He has been in fine obtain currently, arguably matching Norris. The time must aloof aloof approach for him to must fling over for Norris but I assume that may presumably per chance in actuality feel a tiny better with two wins below his belt in dwelling of 1. And even no longer. Four wins for McLaren this year now. 

What would the adaptation had been without that crash? Well, Norris would had been sixth and Verstappen seventh. Well, the gap would had been two but Verstappen would trust indubitably claimed the fastest lap point meaning Norris would trust just taken one point from his lead, no longer two. 

[On] the medium we were very aggressive and the automobile felt exquisite. Unfortunately we didn’t attain any high-gasoline running on my side and we went for a attach of dwelling-up direction that was refined to manage. I believed that in one corner or two I believed that I’d attach it on the wall. 

2nd this present day… it’s obviously a massive disgrace for Carlos on the last lap. No longer, obviously, a mammoth day for the team. It is savory [to drive in races like this] as a outcome of you need to presumably per chance additionally trust many alternatives every lap. 

I think presumably McLaren had a tiny bit much less downforce so on the straights they were posthaste, presumably in the corners we were a tiny bit faster. In the straights I couldn’t safe as shut as I needed. We lost the hasten where I didn’t quite defend as successfully as I must trust at the tip of the straight but it indubitably is what it’s. 

Bowled over, pleased to inspect Carlos and Checo okay. I think there was so noteworthy exhausting work for each person this weekend… we had a in reality unfavorable begin to the hasten, I was dropping off a lot. On the exhausting tyre I think we were certainly one of many quickest. Obtained past Max and an added bonus to safe on the rostrum. It was a long worn hasten and pleased to be on the rostrum. We’ve acquired to be realistic, we must trust finished fifth this present day that was the exquisite outcome… I don’t are looking to safe carried away with this outcome, we’ve acquired various work to attain. 

1. PIA
2. LEC
3. RUS
4. NOR
5. VER
6. ALO
7. ALB
8. COL
9. HAM
10. BEA

A double points finish for Williams and a point for Bearman. Well performed. Norris takes three points out of Verstappen’s championship lead which is now all of the diagram down to 59 points. I think they’re going to take that after the old day but a lot extra was on offer but for unfavorable luck in qualifying, I assume. 

Well performed all americans. That was doubtlessly basically the most anxious afternoon of my lifestyles. Thank you very noteworthy for the automobile. What a day that was. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

A in fact excellent final stint in a in fact excellent win. No questions over this victory, be pleased there was after his win in Hungary. Leclerc second for Ferrari as he fails again to turn into pole into a win in Baku. Russell third, Lando Norris in fourth and Verstappen fifth. Norris will get the bonus point. McLaren take the constructors’ title lead. 

“What the f—. Is he crazy or what? F—– idiot!” Perez says on the radio. 

“What took dwelling there? What took dwelling,” Sainz says, at a loss for phrases. I am no longer certain he saw Perez in his mirrors. 

Virtual Safety Vehicle has been deployed and that is definitely how this hasten will stop. 

Here’s the brand new train: 

1. PIA
2. LEC
3. RUS
4. NOR
5. VER
6. ALO
7. ALB
8. COL
9. HAM
10. BEA

Verstappen pitted for fresh softs in an try and whine the fastest lap point but as the hasten will stop below the SC that point will fling to his rival Lando Norris. 

Leclerc forces Perez broad and that manner Sainz will get third behind Leclerc…  but Perez comes motivate and the pair collide, by some means, on the second straight and fling into the wall! Wow! They’re both out. 

It’s yellow flags and will indubitably be a safety automobile. Verstappen has pitted. 

He retains the lead. Norris will get Verstappen for sixth… Norris currently has the fastest lap point too but I think now Verstappen has lost that dwelling he can finish with Alonso miles behind him. 

Here’s what F1 must aloof be. We by no manner had any belief we’d trust races be pleased this six months in the past. Leclerc says he has no rear tyres and he’s now struggling immensely. Leclerc may presumably per chance no longer even tag it onto the rostrum at this rate. Norris is now nearly within DRS range of Verstappen…

Piastri now leads by 2.4sec and is definitely heading to his second hasten win. Leclerc has a job on his hands to maintain second and presumably even third, depending on what Sainz does. 

Norris can trust DRS on Verstappen on the pit straight…

Leclerc no longer within DRS range but Leclerc has Perez appropriate behind him. Is that the hasten win?

Sainz is now most efficient 1.3sec behind Perez…

Leclerc just cannot safe shut enough to are attempting a convincing fling. Piastri appears to trust his number and 28 laps in the dirty air will no longer trust helped his probabilities right here. 

Norris now within five seconds of Verstappen, with five laps to head. Hmmm. 

It’s no longer enough… again. Leclerc is running out of alternatives so will, I assume, just give it everything right here. 

The leaders are about to hit traffic of the backmarkers… can Piastri defend on and take the victory that avoided him a fortnight in the past in Monza? He’s looking exquisite for the time being. Perez drops motivate a tiny bit again. Sainz most efficient two seconds behind him. 

Verstappen’s lead over Norris is all of the diagram down to below seven seconds…

Sainz is closing up on this fight though a four-manner fight for the lead may presumably per chance very successfully be a tiny bit noteworthy. 

Norris takes 1.5sec out of Verstappen forward to minimize the Dutchman’s advantage to simply 8.8sec…

1. PIA
2. LEC +0.4
3. PER +1.7
4. SAI +4.8
5. RUS +21.3
6. VER +23.5
7. NOR +34.2
8. ALO +Forty five.6
9. ALB +47.9
10. HUL +50.2

Replays indicate both Piastri and Leclerc getting sideways with their rear on the kerb at turn 16. They’re pushing exhausting. 

Again Piastri defends to the inside but Leclerc cannot tag the fling stick. The McLaren has the traction out of turn one and the brakes into it to maintain the lead. Here’s a thriller. Tense. 

Norris takes but any other 1.3sec out of Verstappen and the gap all of the diagram down to 11.6sec with 11 laps left. A anxious time for both automobiles. 

In the interim, Norris takes out 1.4sec from Verstappen’s advantage in the first two sectors on my own. 

“Lando, imagine Andrea to your shoulder saying ‘zero wheelspin’ every exit,” comes the message to Norris. 

Leclerc is as shut as he has been for various laps into turn one…

“No longer dumb,” he says. Or was it “that’s dumb”? No longer certain what that is. Stopping again, I assume. Perez now 2.5sec behind Leclerc even as the Ferrari is with no sign of ending within DRS range of chief Piastri. 

That is only one dwelling but 15.4sec behind Verstappen. Can he tag that up in the remaining laps? I am going to whine they’re going to be very nearby the tip of the hasten, unless Verstappen pits again. 

Norris now has 22.6 sec to Alonso so I think will approach into the pits quickly. 

Top 10 and gaps: 

1. PIA
2. LEC +0.8
3. PER +2.8
4. SAI +7.4
5. NOR +21.5
6. RUS +23.7
7. VER +25.7
8. ALO +44.6
9. HUL +46.8
10. ALB +47.5

He’s building a pit gap to Alonso and Colapinto and must aloof be there quickly. Piastri aloof defending brilliantly from Leclerc behind. Perez has lost touch a tiny bit with Leclerc, now 1.5sec behind the Ferrari. Leclerc loses the rear stop at turn 16, leaving tyre marks on the kerb. 

A fast yellow flag in sector one…

Leclerc informed “field opposite McLaren” but Piastri stays out… and so does Leclerc. No longer in actuality, then. 

Perez is appropriate there too. Piastri informed his tyres inspect in better form than Leclerc’s. Leclerc can trust no question been harmed by being in the dirty air all this time. 

He’s now all of the diagram down to seventh. Norris has decent hobble now he’s in clear air. He must aloof carry a necessary tyre advantage into the final stint, then. He’ll must tag various music positions in that stint. Would possibly also he even finish earlier than Verstappen? No longer certain. 

Nope! Piastri again defends robustly by taking the inside line into turn one and then out of turn one. It’s fantastic and tight battling. Perez is now closing up on Leclerc so the Ferrari can also trust to be troubled extra about what is behind him in dwelling of what is in entrance. Verstappen complains of no rear grip. He hasn’t been in the identical league as Perez this weekend and that may per chance be a uncommon occurence. 

Top six: 

1. PIA
2. LEC
3. PER
4. SAI
5. NOR
6. VER

Perez no longer being dropped from this community but. Albon finally comes into the pits as Verstappen battles with Russell. 

Norris is informed “right here is our time”. Magnificent air sooner than he dives into the pits. 

He thinks about a fling and Piastri has to defend and does so successfully. 

Norris is informed to defend out no subject no longer being in a position to safe past Albon. Leclerc informed to maintain it “nice and trim”. 

Perez 1.2sec extra behind. Aloof Norris holds up Verstappen, though Norris is in turn being held up by Albon. A tough hasten for Lando. 

Piastri takes the inside line at turn one as Leclerc has to head around the outside but he cannot tag the fling stick. The McLaren below various power right here now. Perez is aloof knocking around but is now not any longer within DRS range of Leclerc. 

“Are you seeing how I even trust to drive this thing,” says Hamilton down in 14th. 

Verstappen appears to be managing to unhurried his automobile down for the corners so I whatever he’s doing is negating the brake declare. A fascinating fight for first between Piastri, Leclerc and Perez and then for fifth with Albon, Norris and Verstappen. 

Leclerc appears to be nearer than Piastri as they enter the final sector… he’s. Leclerc will get DRS…

He aloof cannot find a fashion past. Norris is closing up on Albon but cannot find a fashion through. Verstappen is appropriate behind him too. Norris losing time right here and needs to be praying for a safety automobile. Mind you, that wouldn’t attach him earlier than Albon, who may presumably per chance be on the identical approach. 

He’s within DRS range of Norris but this brake declare seemingly is just keeping him far enough behind the McLaren to tag an overtake refined. 

Here’s the head 10 and gaps: 

1. PIA
2. LEC +0.6
3. PER +1.6
4. SAI +11.1
5. ALB +15.2
6. NOR+15.8
7. VER +16.6
8. RUS +18.7
9. ALO +31.3
10. COL +33.1

Norris and Albon but to finish. 

Potentially a immense one. “My brakes are no longer working”. I don’t think he manner they’re failing but are no longer working precisely as he’d be pleased. Yeah. You can inspect that from the replay of that incident where he went to the inside of the corner, over the hasten-off, as he couldn’t unhurried the automobile down enough to steer clear of hitting Norris. 

It’s for sixth but Norris is doing a mammoth job blocking him. And why shouldn’t he? I am certain Verstappen will impart something over the radio but Verstappen must aloof safe him on the pit straight without too noteworthy distress. 

Hamilton on the radio is informed to safe the tyre surface temperatures down. He’s down in 14th. Verstappen makes a mistake in the heart sector, no longer certain precisely what took dwelling, taking avoiding action on Norris. Must inspect the replay of that…

They must now not in actuality in the identical hasten, as Norris is on 22-lap worn exhausting tyres and Sainz on five-lap worn hards. Barely even a yellow flag this present day, no longer to mention a safety automobile or a crimson flag. 

Piastri pulling out a tiny lead but is aloof no longer quite out of DRS range of Leclerc. We fling again…

“They’re pushing be pleased crazy… or they trust got extra grip than us,” Leclerc says as he tries to retake the lead. Colapinto will get Gasly for tenth. It appears Piastri is using various his battery right here to maintain the lead. 

Piastri leads Leclerc by no longer very noteworthy but rather too noteworthy for Leclerc to are attempting a fling into turn one. Perez is appropriate on the gearbox of Leclerc by the time they safe to the tip of the second DRS zone and turn three. 

Norris says he’s now struggling a tiny bit. He’s informed that he’s doing a in reality exquisite job no subject the hobble feeling “s—”. 

He will get a immense tow down the pit straight and then opens DRS sooner than sending it down the inside of turn one and then fends off a declare by moving over on Leclerc sooner than turn two. He came from very far motivate there, doubtlessly 0.7sec. Leclerc left the door launch. Fully launch. I ponder if it took him a tiny bit instantly. 

Perez now will get DRS on the pit staight on Albon and goes down the inside to fling into third, but he has lost some time – doubtlessly a pair of seconds, in passing the Williams. 

Here’s the head 10:

1. LEC
2. PIA +0.8
3. PER +2.9
4. ALB* +4.1
5. NOR* +5.6
6. SAI +8.8
7. VER +10.1
8. RUS+15.4
9. ALO +22.1
10. GAS* +24.2

*but to finish

Albon stays out, Piastri will get DRS and will get past him on the pit straight. Perez can trust to again a tiny bit longer. Sainz rejoins in sixth. Norris is now closing up on Perez but has but to finish. Ideal 1.1sec between chief Leclerc and Piastri now. 

Well, Sainz currently leads by 13 seconds but he has but to finish. Procure chief Leclerc has Albon behind him, but to finish, with Piastri and Perez within 2.1sec of the Monegasque’s Ferrari. 

Norris holds up Perez till he breezes past on the pit straight and that is barely enough for Piastri to maintain the dwelling as the Australian comes out of the pits. On the opposite hand, Perez has noteworthy warmer tyres and may per chance be a probability to the Australian on this lap. 

Tsunoda has retired, presumably with afflict after a lap-one clash with Stroll. Sure. A stout hole in the sidepod. Perez does the fastest center sector as he chases down Piastri. Leclerc comes into the pits and will approach out in clear air with Alexander Albon behind him. 

We haven’t seen noteworthy of it on tv as his lead goes as a lot as six seconds. 

Norris’s hobble on the 14 lap worn exhausting tyres is roughly identical with the leaders now. Well, Leclerc. He’s faster than one of the most most others in the lead community. Norris is informed to defend Perez as a lot as assist with Piastri’s hopes of retaning second earlier than the Red Bull. 

In comes Perez to the pits but retains earlier than Hulkenberg, Bearman and his team-mate. Piastri now in probability of being undercut by Perez… he says he’s struggling now with the tyres so will indubitably must dive in. But he doesn’t…

He switches to the exhausting tyres. It’s no longer the easiest finish, 3.1sec. Russell then follows him in, adopted by Hamilton as Mercedes double-stack their automobiles. 

Colapinto in the Williams comes in from eighth to fling to the exhausting tyres in an tried undercut. 

Verstappen is now just about four seconds earlier than Russell, who’s falling successfully motivate sadly. No longer certain if that is anything to attain with the aptitude plastic fetch in the airbox. Verstappen’s hobble is never any longer electrical by any manner, just about seven seconds behind Perez. 

It’s over 3.2sec now and Piastri has no reply. Perez also starting to derive him, 0.4sec faster the last time around was the Mexican. Hulkenberg will get Bearman for 11th to turn out to be the lead Haas in the hasten. 

Lap 10: Sparkling lap from Checo last time around, but any other new PB and the gap to PIA is all of the diagram down to 1.4 seconds ⏱️#F1 || #AzerbaijanGP 🇦🇿

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) September 15, 2024

1. LEC
2. PIA +2.8
3. PER +4.0
4. SAI +6.9
5. VER +9.5
6. RUS +12.9
7. ALO +17.3
8. COL +18.9
9. ALB +19.9
10. NOR +23.3

No longer what you’d like. Norris now has but any other four seconds to tag as a lot as reach Alexander Albon in ninth and is currently losing around 1.5sec a lap to the leaders…

Norris opens up the DRS flap on the pit straight and sails past Oliver Bearman sooner than the braking zone to expose one. He’s up into the points but is extra than a pit finish behind the leaders. Aloof, he’s on the exhausting tyres right here. 

Piastri has been informed to head to devise B. He’s now 2.1sec behind Leclerc, who’s finding some exquisite hobble. Would possibly also he be going to a two-finish approach right here?

He takes out 0.8sec from Piastri in the last lap. No longer certain if Piastri made a mistake. I dont think so as he was 0.3sec and 0.6sec slower in the first and second sectors respectively. 

Norris is within DRS range of Bearman in the Haas. Russell has also dropped motivate from Verstappen, losing 0.4sec in articulate that fight is never any longer currently in probability of an imminent overtake. 

Three tenths he took out of the Red Bull on the last lap…

Leclerc is never any longer getting away right here. Norris is 17 seconds behind and in 11th though was half of a second faster than Bearman in tenth earlier than him. Perez is about 1.8sec behind Piastri and is never any longer quite staying in touch. 

1. LEC
2. PIA
3. PER
4. SAI
5. VER
6. RUS
7. ALO
8. COL
9. ALB
10. BEA

He will get Tsunoda at the second corner and is one dwelling behind the points as Leclerc objects the fastest lap. 

Norris takes 12th from Hulkenberg at turn one and objects about hunting Tsunoda already. Heaps of leaf litter around the straights. This hasten has both been hasten in April or June so right here is the most up-to-date it has taken dwelling and it’s starting to inspect autumnal in Baku. 

Leclerc leads Piastri by 0.8sec

It’s a exquisite begin from Leclerc who with ease hols the lead from Piastri as they enter turn one. At turn two Perez has third from Sainz and Verstappen has taken fifth from Russell already, so the Red Bulls making exquisite progress. 

Norris already up two positions to Thirteenth…

And we’re in a position to head…

Supreme Albon in ninth, Ricciardo in 14th, Norrs in 15th, Zhou in 17th, Gasly in 18th and Ocon from the pit lane begin on the exhausting tyre. 

Predictions?

Top six, for me: 

1. LEC
2. SAI
3. PIA
4. RUS
5. VER
6. PER

Norris seventh, Hamilton ninth. 

Pirelli are saying a one-stopper is the fastest, which is in a position to both be a medium begin to exhausting with pit window on lap 14-24. Or Laborious begin to medium with pit window lap 27 to 37. A two-finish is imaginable going medium, exhausting, exhausting but that is presumably no longer a most widespread option. Definitely, crimson flags and safety automobiles may presumably per chance successfully change this. 

One grand prix win in that time and three podiums. He has no longer been in basically the most aggressive automobiles for tons of of his profession but that is the case for the vast majority of F1 drivers. Has most efficient finished in the head 10 once (2022 the year his win came) but in no elephantine season has he finished lower than 12th. Mind you, that is liable to interchange this year as he sits 18th. 

Pole is on the staunch-hand side right here (the outside but clear line) right here. 

2. PIA 1. LEC
4. PER 3. SAI
6. VER 5. RUS
8. COL 7. ALO
10. BEA 9. ALB
12. HUL 11. TSU
14. RIC 13. STR
16. BOT 15. NOR
18. GAS 17. ZHO

PIT LANE: HAM, OCO

Does Verstappen increase his championship lead this present day? And by how noteworthy?

If he finishes where he starts he’s going to safe eight points. You’d motivate Norris to fight his manner motivate as a lot as the points in this McLaren, doubtlessly to the head eight. But a lot can happen…

It’s a long lap, so 0.321sec is never any longer the grand margin it’s going to also very successfully be at other tracks (0.3 per cent) but that was aloof a mighty lap from the man who has no longer been crushed in qualifying right here since 2019, when he doubtlessly must trust taken pole anyway. 

Lewis Hamilton will begin this present day’s hasten from the pit-lane after changing his engine and other parts after qualifying. He would trust started in seventh after a uncomfortable session, but a new turbocharger and MGU-Okay and MGU-H parts. This at least promoted compatriot Lando Norris as a lot as 15th on the grid, two areas up from where he qualified after Pierre Gasly’s disqualification. 

1. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1min 41.365secs
2. Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1:41.686
3. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spa) Ferrari 1:41.805
4. Sergio Perez (Mex) Red Bull 1:41.813
5. George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:41.874
6. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:42.023
7. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:42.289
8. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin 1:42.369
9. Franco Colapinto (Arg) Williams 1:42.530
10. Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:42.859
11. Oliver Bearman (Gbr) Haas F1 1:42.968
12. Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) RB 1:43.035
13. Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Haas F1 1:43.191
14. Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1:43.404
15. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) RB 1:43.547
16. Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:43.609
17. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Kick Sauber 1:43.618
18. Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Kick Sauber 1:44.246
19. Esteban Ocon (Fra) Alpine 1:44.504

DSQ: Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Welcome to our live protection for the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the Baku Metropolis Circuit. This hasten has been on the calendar in various guises since 2016 and has occasionally thrown up chaotic classics, though there had been a pair of duds too. Which one will we safe this present day? Well, at the probability of over-promising, I think what we’ve right here is the makings of the old-fashioned. Definitely, some of that depends on safety automobiles and crimson flags but I think there is a exquisite likelihood of that. 

Qualifying was highly entertaining again. Charles Leclerc took his fourth pole dwelling in a row at this music but he has but to turn into the first three of those into a victory. This day, with Ferrari having improved on their hasten hobble, he must aloof be in with a exquisite shout. 

Without reference to McLaren stating that they would favour Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship, with team-mate Oscar Piastri playing a supporting position for the team, the Briton made a multitude of his qualifying. Arguably that was no longer his fault as a leisurely yellow flag hampered his final lap in Q1 but it indubitably meant he failed to progress to the second a part of qualifying and will begin successfully down the grid. Piastri, by contrast, attach it on the entrance-row albeit extra than three-tenths slower than Leclerc’s very excellent lap. 

The most efficient things that Norris can defend onto is that Max Verstappen, who leads him by 62 points in the standings, most efficient qualified sixth and that this hasten can throw up surprises every now and then. Aloof, taking the eight points he needs on reasonable out of the Dutchman’s advantage looks unlikely, barring a Verstappen DNF. Verstappen again complained that a leisurely attach of dwelling-up change made the automobile worse and he was out-qualified for the first time this season by Sergio Perez. 

Williams also attach in a in reality noteworthy qualifying efficiency with Franco Colapinto – in just his second grand prix – qualifying in ninth with Alexander Albon in tenth. A exquisite likelihood for them to rating points, if their hasten hobble is there. Oliver Bearman may presumably per chance be in his second grand prix, this time for Haas in dwelling of Ferrari and qualified an honest 11th, earlier than Nico Hulkenberg. Points could be the goal for him too this present day.