Perez capitalizes on Verstappen’s misfortune while Hamilton makes unusual error in dramatic Baku GP.
P1 – PER
P2 – VET
P3 – GAS
Heartbreak for Verstappen
Everything appeared to be going Verstappen’s way in Baku on Sunday. He masterfully overtook polesitter Charles Leclerc on Lap 7. He took the lead over rival Hamilton after a traffic-filled pit stop on Lap 12. Things appeared more and more certain after he nailed the safety car restart following Lance Stroll’s heart-dropping accident on Lap 35.
With a mere five laps remaining, along with a comfortable lead, Verstappen shockingly crashed into the barriers after what appeared to be another tire failure.
Luckily, Verstappen walked away from the incident, albeit angry at the circumstance. Pirelli definitely has some explaining to do!
Podium Finisher and Hamilton’s Untimely Mistake
Verstappen’s unfortunate crash meant one thing for Perez, Hamilton, Gasly, and Leclerc: it was all to play for.
Following the safety car restart, Hamilton appeared to get the better of Perez. That is, until he had a massive lock-up at Turn 1, having to go into the run-off.
With Mercedes’ hope of another race win seemed doomed, the remaining drivers charged on for a much-desired podium finish.
Sergio Perez snagged the win for his team – an important day for the Red Bull garage.
The second place of Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel drove an impeccable race, starting from P11. Vettel pitted much later than the rest of the grid, coming out P6, and capitalized on Verstappen’s bad luck to be promoted to P4 following the restart.
Despite Leclerc and Norris charging in the distance, Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly managed P3. The Frenchman likely enjoying the bubbly sips of champagne after back to back tricky races in the beginning of the season.
Best of the Rest
While P4 is nothing to be upset about, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc likely can’t be too happy with the results today. His undercut strategy over Gasly didn’t stick, and despite his efforts following the restart, he couldn’t overtake the Frenchman.
Lando Norris overcame a three-place grid penalty to ultimately take P5 thanks to an expertly executed undercut strategy. The McLaren driver has plenty to be excited about his performance as he was once as low as P11 after a lowly start in P9.
Fernando Alonso finished P6 thanks to impeccable tire strategy in his red-adorned tires following the safety car restart, leaving the rookie Alpha Tauri of Yuki Tsunoda finishing in a respectable P7.
Ferrari driver finished in P8, despite a lock-up during his first pit stop. Just behind him was former Renault teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who benefitted greatly by the misfortune of Verstappen, Hamilton, and Stroll.
Kimi Raikkonen secured the final point of the day overtaking his teammate on Lap 50. Giovinazzi can’t be too upset, though, as the Italian driver started last on the grid.
Between Lewis Hamilton’s unusual error at the safety car restart and Valtteri Bottas seemingly unable to find the pace, it was a day that couldn’t be forgotten sooner at the Mercedes garage.
Looking Ahead
There’s a week to cool off after the drama of Baku as the grid returns to Circuit Paul Ricard. It’s lights out in two weeks and everyone is wondering: will Mercedes dominate their stronghold in France or will Red Bull come charging through?
