In a heart-stopping Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri secured his second Formula 1 victory, narrowly edging out Charles Leclerc in a race that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end. The streets of Baku once again proved to be a stage for high drama, with a multi-car battle for the lead and a spectacular late-race crash involving Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz.
Piastri, who started second on the grid, initially trailed pole-sitter Leclerc but managed to overtake the Ferrari driver after the pit stop phase. The young Australian then showcased exceptional defensive skills, fending off multiple attacks from Leclerc, Perez, and Sainz in a tense four-way fight for the top spot.
As the race entered its final stages, Leclerc’s tyres began to fade, allowing Piastri to build a small but crucial gap. The Ferrari driver’s struggles also brought him into the clutches of Perez and Sainz, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
The defining moment of the race came on the penultimate lap when Perez attempted to pass Leclerc, leading to a wheel-to-wheel battle with Sainz. The two drivers collided spectacularly between Turns 2 and 3, ending their races in the concrete wall and bringing out the Virtual Safety Car to end the Grand Prix.
Reflecting on his victory, Piastri described the race as “the most stressful afternoon of my life.” The win not only marked his second Grand Prix triumph but also propelled McLaren to the top of the constructors’ championship.
Behind the McLaren-Ferrari duel at the front, George Russell capitalized on the late-race chaos to secure an unexpected podium finish for Mercedes. Lando Norris, starting from a lowly P15, executed an alternative strategy to perfection, managing to pass title rival Max Verstappen for fourth place in the closing laps.
Fernando Alonso had a relatively quiet race in his Aston Martin, finishing sixth, while the Williams duo of Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto impressed with strong points-scoring performances. Lewis Hamilton, who started from the back of the grid due to engine penalties, fought his way through the field to claim ninth place, ensuring a double points finish for Mercedes.
The final point went to Haas stand-in driver Ollie Bearman, who impressed by finishing just ahead of his experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg. Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo, Zhou Guanyu, and Esteban Ocon rounded out the finishers, with the latter two recovering from power unit penalties.
The race was not without its casualties. Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda’s hopes were dashed early after a first-lap collision, while Valtteri Bottas struggled to make an impact, finishing last among the runners.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix once again lived up to its reputation for unpredictability and excitement. Piastri’s victory, coupled with the late-race drama involving Perez and Sainz, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the highlights of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
As the dust settles on the streets of Baku, the F1 circus now looks ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for September 20-22. With the championship battles in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings heating up, the night race at Marina Bay promises to be another thrilling chapter in what is shaping up to be an unforgettable season.
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