Max Verstappen wins F1’s Azerbaijan GP after Oscar Piastri crashes on lap 1

[mastercode]

BOOK INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TICKETS LOCAL FLIGHTS HOTELS BOOKINGS WORLDWIDE AND MORE AT CHEAPEST RATE EVER! CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT AND RECEIVE YOUR FLIGHT TICKET INSTANTLY

Max Verstappen wins F1’s Azerbaijan GP after Oscar Piastri crashes on lap 1

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands in action during the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

2025-09-21T06:08:45Z

                                       

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday as championship leader Oscar Piastri’s first-lap crash allowed Lando Norris to cut his points advantage.

Verstappen was in control from start to finish after taking pole position in a chaotic qualifying session Saturday. George Russell was second for Mercedes and Carlos Sainz, Jr. was third for Williams’ first podium finish in four years.

Norris was seventh as he missed the chance to fully exploit Piastri’s error and slash the Australian’s lead in the         data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one">Formula 1 title fight.

Piastri nearly stalled on the grid and dropped to the back of the field, before sliding into the barrier as he tried to recover places. The Australian crashed for the second day running in Baku after also hitting the barrier in qualifying.

McLaren could have secured the constructors’ title Sunday with seven races to go, but will now have to wait until at least the next race in Singapore in two weeks’ time.

___

AP auto racing:         data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

                                   
                               
                           

                           
                   
                   
Source: Max Verstappen wins F1’s Azerbaijan GP after Oscar Piastri crashes on lap 1