Max Verstappen claims back-to-back wins with a lights-to-flag victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while championship leader Oscar Piastri’s early exit shakes up the standings.
Max Verstappen delivered a flawless drive to win the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading every lap from pole in Baku and reigniting hope in the Formula 1 championship battle. The Red Bull star capitalized on chaos behind him, including points leader Oscar Piastri’s costly first-lap crash, to secure his second consecutive victory and fourth of the season.
After a tense getaway, Verstappen kept his cool heading into Turn 1 and managed his hard tire stint to perfection, building a gap over Carlos Sainz and George Russell while conserving his car for a late-race push. The turning point came early, with Piastri’s jump start and subsequent lock-up into the barriers vaulting Verstappen into an even more commanding position.
The safety car bunched up the pack, but Verstappen’s pace and tire strategy allowed him to retain the lead with ease once the race resumed. After a late pit stop for mediums, he cruised home almost 15 seconds clear of Russell, with Sainz delivering Williams their first full-points podium in eight years.
Further drama unfolded throughout the field, with Mercedes and Racing Bulls using alternate strategies to outfox several rivals. Russell overcame illness to finish second, while Sainz held off Kimi Antonelli for a memorable third place.
Lando Norris could only recover to seventh after a difficult start and a slow pit stop, missing a huge chance to close in on his teammate at the top of the standings. Liam Lawson’s career-best fifth and Tsunoda’s sixth underlined the progress Racing Bulls have made, while midfield battles between Ferrari, McLaren, and the rest kept the points chase lively down the order.
The result cuts Piastri’s championship lead to 69 points over Verstappen with seven races and three sprints remaining. Thanks to back-to-back wins in Monza and Baku, Red Bull’s upgrades and Verstappen’s experience have thrown new intrigue into a title fight many had considered over. Singapore looms as the next test, with the pressure now squarely on McLaren and Piastri as Verstappen and Red Bull surge into the final stretch.
CREDITS:
Director: Alejandro Bernal
Text: Sathya Sansó Amado
