As dramatic as this title sounds, it is no secret, that the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix just saw a new lead… Red Bull has been dethroned! This has been both awaited and dreaded by fans everywhere. So, what happened? We saw a game-changing accident in Baku’s narrow streets, Oliver Bearman showcasing his pace, and McLaren’s return to the top! This is their first time in nearly a decade.
Let’s start at the top. Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for the second time this season. The Australian, who started third, fought for pole with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The latter showed early strength but couldn’t stop Piastri. After the pit stops and fresh tyres, the Australian charged into first.
However, the race was not done yet. The penultimate lap saw a crash between Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez shook things up further. Both drivers fought for third place. Heading into the first long stretch, they battled with everything they had. It ended dramatically when both collided, sending them into the barriers. Replays indicated that Sainz drifted slightly left, making contact with Perez.
This crash dashed Red Bull’s hopes of salvaging points and altered the championship fight. Perez, furious, called Sainz “an idiot” over the radio. Both were more diplomatic after the race. Red Bull, however, left Baku without the much-needed points.
Max Verstappen finished in fifth after a frustrating race. His car struggled with balance, particularly in slow corners. The RB20’s instability in the low-speed sections caused grip loss and a lack of pace. Verstappen found it tough to pass George Russell and Alex Albon early on.
But it wasn’t all bad news. Oliver Bearman, a rookie, impressed by winning points with two constructors in the same season. Ferrari will have their eyes on him after this performance.
This race shook the Constructors’ Championship. McLaren scored more than Red Bull by a significant margin. McLaren is now at the top, leaving Red Bull exposed. The RB20’s handling issues with Verstappen and Perez’s crash capped a difficult weekend for them.
This victory also showed us McLaren’s resurgence, with Piastri handling pressure from Ferrari brilliantly. Although the race had battled throughout, the defining moment was the dramatic crash just before the finish.
