McLaren’s Oscar Piastri emerged victorious in a thrilling Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off pole-sitter Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari to secure his second career win. The Australian driver’s triumph marked a significant moment for McLaren, as they overtook Red Bull in the constructor’s championship title race.
Piastri’s victory was hard-fought, as he engaged in a fierce battle with Leclerc throughout the race. After Leclerc held the lead for the first 20 laps, Piastri seized the opportunity to overtake him and maintain his position until the checkered flag.
Behind the top two, Mercedes’ George Russell secured a podium finish in third place, while Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris finished fourth. Norris’s performance was particularly impressive, as he earned an extra point for setting the fastest lap of the race.
The race was not without its drama, as a late collision between Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Sergio Perez (Red Bull) forced the race to end under a virtual safety car. The incident prevented any further changes in the standings, leaving Piastri as the victor.
Piastri’s win has significantly impacted the championship standings. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who has not won in seven races, still leads the drivers’ standings with 313 points. However, Norris’s strong performance has reduced Verstappen’s lead to 59 points with seven races and three sprints remaining.
In the constructor’s championship, McLaren’s victory has propelled them ahead of Red Bull. McLaren now holds 394 points, while Red Bull has 389 points. The battle for the title is expected to remain intense in the upcoming races.
