Aha! Giles Richards’ report is with us, which means we’re done here. Thanks all for your company – we’ll see you again next week for Singapore – which should be another belter. But until then, peace and love.
The last time McLaren led the constructor championship was in 2014. But they’re right there now, and that doesn’t just augur well for what’s left of this season but for next too.
It doesn’t look like the Red Bull has it in it to win any more races; the question is how well Verstappen can shepherd it to score points, and whether Norris can drive well enough to win them or get close. My sense is not, but you never know…
So where is the season going from here?
At Spurs, they’ve just kicked off.
I’ll see it here and now, though of course I’m not the first or the 569,423th: Oscar Piastri will win a driver championship, probably more than one.
Piastri raises the trophy, dons his winner’s medal, and here comes the bubbly.
The three podium lads watch the Sainz/Perez clash, ooohing and aahing; I think Perez was the unluckier of the two, but I’d need to see it again. Anyway, here come our top three and here comes Advance Australia Fair.
Driver standings
Verstappen (Red Bull) 313
Norris (McLaren) 253
Leclerc (Ferrari) 235
Piastri (McLaren) 222
Hamilton (Mercedes) 166
Russell (Mercedes) 143
Perez (Eed Bull) 143
Piastri felt like he had a bit of extra grip so he had to go at Leclerc when he did, giving it a “pretty good lunge,” before “hanging on for dear life”. All in all, he considers this one of the best races of his career. He gives full credit to the team, who were in last place a year again, and now they lead the constructor championship, Piastri the highest points-scorer over the last seven races.
Leclerc said the hard tyres made it difficult for him. McLaren were good here, so he congratulates them, but given when happened to Sainz on the final lap, it’s been a bad weekend for Ferrari.
Russell says he’s surprised to make the podium and is glad Sainz and Perez are OK. He’s had issues this weekend but at its best his car did well.
Final standings
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Alex Albon (Williams)
Franco Colapinto (Williams)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Oliver Bearman (Haas)
Nico Hülkengerg (Haas)
Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Daniel Ricciardo (RB)
Zhou Guanyu (Stake F1)
Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
Valtteri Bottas (Stake F1)
DNF: Yuki Tsunoda (RB), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari), Sergio Pérez (Red Bull).
I said this during the race, but it’s a long time since we’ve seen such a long and intense battle for the lead. Burt it never really looked like Piastri could be passed, just that little bit too quick and savvy for Leclerc – who again fails to convert a pole on this track.
Also going on:
“The most stressful day of my life,” Piastri tells his team as he thanks them; to watch the serene way in which he drove you’d never know it. He’s a potential superstar.
Lando Norris finishes fourth, taking McLaren to the top of the constructor’s championship and Verstappen fifth, his lead at the top of the driver standings cut a little – we’ll confirm by how much once we’re sure the Brit recorded the fastest lap.
Oscar Piastri of McLaren wins the Azerbaijan Grand Prix!
A phenomenal statement of a drive and the second win of his career; Charles Leclerc of Ferrari takes second and George Russell of Mercedes third.
Updated
Lap 51/51 It took a while, but we’ve got our virtual safety car. Meantime, Piastri cruises on at the front – he is no longer an up-and-comer, he’s right here.
Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez crash and are out of the race!
Lap 50/51 They’re flying at the front but here comes Perez to go at Leclerc and gets by on the outside … but the Frenchman he comes back and shuts the door! Oh and look at this! Sainz also passes Perez, the two Ferraris working together, but as they come around the corner, Sainz and Perez bash wings, the former clattering the latter I think, into the side they go, and both cars are out of the race! What drama!
Updated
Lap 49/51 Norris is now within a second of Verstappen while, at the front, Piastri looks hame; instead, we’ve got Leclerc trying to hang on to second, and Perez, challenging him, also trying to hold on to third under pressure from Sainz. Oh and have a look! Here comes Nozza, attacking Verstappen, he slides by and also has the fastest lap in his skyrocket. He’s going to close the gap at the top, having started 15th on the gird and, given how yesterday went, he’ll be delighted
Lap 48/51 Perez hacks at Leclerc, tries to diddle him on the outside and can’t, but in front, Piastri now leads by 2.480. He’s going to win!
Lap 47/51 Stroll, who sustained an early puncture, has to retire, while Piastri drives a superb lap to break Leclerc’s DSRS and Perez gains on him. The gap is now 1.759s and might this be the definitive circuit of the race?!
Lap 46/51 Sainz is now 1.199s behind Perez, and just as there’s a battle going on for first and second, so there is for third and fourth – which might burgeon into all four going for the win! This is the funnest race I’ve seen in tiiiime, Piastri leading it by 0.929 and Parez closer to Leclerc than Leclerc is to him.
Lap 45/51 Yet again, Piastri holds off Leclerc, and this could well be a statement victory. Norris, meanwhile, is now expected to reach Verstappen in four laps’ time; he sets a fastest lap, the gap 5.095, and will have be able to pass or will Verstappen’s wiles hold him off?
Updated
Lap 44/51 The focus it must take for Piastri to maintain so narrow a lead for so long, biggup. The gap is 0.578s.
Piastri
Leclerc
Perez
Sainz
Russell
Verstappen
Norris
Alonso
Albon
Hulkeberg
Colapinto
Hamilton
Bearman
Gasly
Ricciardo
Ocon
Stroll
Bottas
Zhou
Lap 43/51 Sainz is also closing on Perez, which won’t do his teammate Leclerc any harm, giving the Mexican something to think about beyond catching up. With nine laps to go, this race remains in the balance.
Lap 42/51 Norris will be within striking distance of Verstappen within eight laps; if so', he’ll have four chances to pass and close the gap in the driver championship. Likewise Leclerc, who trails Piastri by 0.819 and behind him, Perez comes again!
Lap 41/51 I’m not sure what can change for Leclerc between now ands the flag – which won’t make any odds to Hamilton, who eases by Bearman for a second tie. Ten laps to go.
Lap 40/51 Norris sets a fastest lap, closing the gap on Verstappen to 12.308s as Leclerc’s team chat about a two-stop strategy, perhaps looking to spook McLaren into pitting Piastri. But Sharl is closer as they hit the straight this time, gets into position … and again, the Aussie holds him off.
Lap 39/51 It’s a while since Leclerc even had a proper hack at Piastri, who’ll be starting to feel the pressure of leading; he’s now expected and expecting to win this race. The gap is 0.774s.
Lap 38/51 Sainz, fourth, closes on Perez, third; I don’t think the Mexican will be troubling second from here. Norris pits, coming out ahead of Alonso so into seventh, 15.454s behind Verstappen.
Lap 37/51 Piastri sets a fastest lap as the dummy call goes out that he should come in if Leclerc does but McLaren do nothing, their man 0.725s in front.
Lap 36/51 Here we go again, Leclerc unable to get close enough to Piastri to overtake – as we learn that, over the last four races, no one has scored more points than the surging Aussie – which sounds like a good name for a pub.
Lap 35/51 Piastri is advised his tyres look slightly worse than Leclerc’s at the front, slightly better at the back. I can’t remember the last time I watched a race like this, two drivers going at it lap after lap, as we learn that Albon, currently 11th, fancies eighth for himself, seventh if Verstappen comes in again.
Piastri
Leclerc
Perez
Sainz
Norris
Russell
Verstappen
Alonso
Lap 34/51 Verstappen tells his team he’s no grip – these terse missives are becoming something of a feature. He’s 1.595s behind Norris, who must still pit, while Perez, third, is now closer to Leclerc, fourth. And have a look! Russell passes Verstappen and, though Noz looks likely to finish behind him, his overall arrears look unlikely to change much.
Lap 33/51 Here comes Leclerc again and he’s almost into the back of Piastri, who picks a good line to stop the overtake. What a duel this is! And it’s nowhere near finished!
Lap 32/51 Albon pits meaning Norris is up to fifth and Verstappen sixth; they’ll want to go hard for the next bit to take advantage of the clearer road ahead.
Lap 31/51 Norris won’t want to pit now because if he does, he’ll emerge behind Hulkenberg in 11th, and the straight-line speed of the Haas might present a problem. Piastri still leads and, though he gets DRS, Leclerc can’t get quite close enough to properly try and pass.
Lap 30/51 Yup, Perez is now 1.361 behind Leclerc, who’s 0.612 behind Piastri. What a drive this is turning into – possibly a race we’ll look back in years to come as a turning point in the leader’s career.
Lap 29/51 Here comes Leclerc again, he’s closer this time … and Piastri holds him off! The young Aussie is driving beautifully here but he’ll have plenty more challenges to withstand as the race continues, the front two losing Perez a little.
Piastri
Leclerc
Perez
Sainz
Albon
Norris
Verstappen
Russell
Updated
Lap 28/51 Again, Leclerc can’t get close enough to Piastri to overtake – he’s so, so close. The lead is 0.496.
Lap 27/51 Albon’s doping a really good job of holding up Norris and Verstappen – and don’t forget the former is still to pit. A safety car-situation would work beautifully for McLaren now.
Lap 26/51 Piastri has won only one GP in his young career, in Hungary earlier this year. He leads by 0.560 now, as we learn that the Australian pushed too hard early doors, which is why he couldn’t make an impression on Leclerc, but is now driving his car as planned, hence his better performance.
Lap 25/51 Piastri sets a fastest lap as Leclerc gets close enough to get DRS but not close enough to attack. Verstappen, meanwhile, is getting frustrated by his inability to pass Norris.
Piastri
Leclerc
Perez
Sainz
Albon
Norris
Verstappen
Lap 24/51 Verstappen is right up Norris’ posterior – Norris, remember hasn’t yet pitted – but shuts the door! Back at the front, Piastri is doing a great job, extending his lead over Leclerc, who’ll feel this slipping away, to -.946s.
Lap 23/51 Leclerc goes at Piastri down the inside but can’t quite make it, the gap between them 0.799 and Perez a further 0.946 behind.
Lap 22/51 The first three cars are almost bumper to bumper! This is brilliant stuff, and what’s extra-brilliant is that Verstappen and Norris aren’t involved.
Lap 21/51 Leclerc goes again but Piastri is on one here – he’s seeing it and resists. The top three are separated by just 1.5s and this is an absolute trip! Norris sits fifth.
Lap 20/51 Now then! Piastri attacks on the inside and Leclerc can’t hold him off! What a move that is, he came from so far back! However! Here comes a second DRS zone, Leclerc attacks … and runs out of road, the corner forcing him to reset! That’s a fantastic piece of work from the Aussie, even if ole Sharl ought to have seen the challenge coming. He’ll come again, but must pay attention to Perez behnd him.
Lap 19/51 Perez attacks Albon down the straight and he could go down either side of him, the track so wide you know the pass is coming. Piastri, meantime, is going nicely, now just 0.929s behind Leclerc, back leading.
Lap 18/51 Sainz pits so Leclerc leads once more, Perez setting a new fastest lap. Piastri, now back second, will be glad of Albon behind him, slowing down the second Red Bull.
Leclerc
Piastri
Albon
Perez
Norris
Sainz
Verstappen
Russell
Lap 17/51 Now Leclerc pits and Sainz leads, but he’ll regain first position when the Ferrari pits; that’ll be the next time he goes past.
Lap 16/51 Piastri comes in and Perez, on new tyres, boosts past Norris … but Piastri comes out ahead of the Mexican thanks to the work of his teammate, who held things up just enough. Tsunoda, his car jiggered from that earlier collision, retires.
Updated
Lap 15/51 Piastri is now far enough ahead of Perez to come in and leave still in front, but he stays out another lap and that looks a bad call, the gap shrinking; Norris is aaked to hold Checo up without damaging his own prospects.
Lap 14/51 Leclerc now leads by 5.173s as Perez goes in and out, exiting the pits in sixth; Norris is now fifth, but of course will soon have to pit himself.
Leclerc
Piastri
Sainz
Albon
Norris
Perez
Hulkenberg
Bearman
Verstappen
Ricciardo
Lap 13/51 Verstappen, who’s just plugging away, has had enough of his tyres, coming in and leaving in 10th – more slowly than he’d have hoped – Russell immediately following him and Hamilton also stopping.
Lap 12/51 Piastri responds well to Perez’s pressure, moving further clear of third – the gap is 1.854s– as Leclerc, flying now, leads second place by 4.601s. He loves this circuit and already looks certain to win unless something silly happens.
Lap 11/51 The stops have started, Colapinto coming in and out as Leclerc sets a new fastest lap and increases his lead to 3.745s; Norris is now just 1.936 behind Albon.
Lap 10/51 Hulkenberrg zooms past Bearman into 11th, team orders perhaps coming into effect, as Leclerc ploughs on, 1.453s in front of Piastri, struggling a little with his rear-tyre temperatures. And behind him, Perez is closing…
Lap 9/51 Leclerc keeps at it as Norris is told his tyres – he’s on hards, everyone in front bar Albon on mediums – aren’t graining yet.
Leclerc
Piastri
Perez
Sainz
Veratappen
Russell
Alonso
Colapinto
Albon
Norris
Lap 8/51 Yup, here comes Norris; he eases by Bearman and into the points, but he’s work to do to make this an acceptable weekend. Leclerc now leads by 2.462s, puts down a fastest lap, and the stopping and tyre strategy will soon start to unfold.
Lap 7/51 Leclerc is driving nicely now, the leads up to 1.805. Norris, meanwhile, is 0.309 behind Bearman, and will soon attack…
Lap 6/51 Hamilton isn’t happy with his tyres but the other Merc is doing better, Russell now going quicker than Verstappen, in front of him – the gap is 1.514s. Leclerc extends his lead to nearly 1.5s.
Lap 5/51 I meant to say earlier, Stroll has a puncture, perhaps sustained in a clash with Tsunoda – which explains why the RB is struggling so. Back at the front, Leclerc is moving in and out of DRS, his lead over Piastri currently 1.028s.
Lap 4/51 Leclerc isn’t rolling over for Piastri, increasing his lead to 1.1s or so; Hamilton is the latest to overtake Tsunoda, whose car appears to be ailing.
Lap 3/51 Piastri closes on Leclerc and has him within DRS range; Norris passes Tsunoda as he needed to and must now close the distance on Bearman, five seconds down the road while, behind him. Hulkenberg also passes Tsunoda. Hamilton, having started from the pit lane, is 16th.
Lap 2/51 Leclerc leads by almost a second as, down the main straight, Nozza eases past Hulkenberg and has DRS on Tsunoda – he needs to get by quickly because Bearman is stretching ahead with every second.
Leclerc
Piastri
Perez
Sainz
Verstappen
Russell
Alonso
Colapinto
Albon
Bearman
Tsunoda
Norris
Lap 1/51 Lights out and Leclerc starts well, out in front while Perez moves by Sainz and Verastappen sneaks past Russell! But wither Norris? Someone tell us, please? Ah, there we go, he’s moved up two places into 13th.
It’s a short run to the first corner, and we’re good to go!
It’s all to race for in the constructor championship; currently, Red Bull lead the standings with 446 points, but McLaren, without a win since 2008, are close behind with 438, while Ferrari aren’t out of it on 407.
And off it goes.
The formation lap is almost upon us.
It’s kind of windy in the city of wind, but it’s unclear from which direction that wind is coming. More news as I get it!
Do we think Leclerc has the necessary to win here? The Ferrari looks in good order, but Piastri will fancy his chances of beating it off the line.
Max Verstappen has not won a #F1 race since before July 9, when he held up this Leeds United shirt! 🤯
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 15, 2024
No wins ❌
No poles ❌
One front row start 😬
Two podiums 👀
Jinxed! 🤷♂️ #BBCF1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/Z4KSteDyWz
Oliver Bearman looks happy and why wouldn’t he be? At 19, he’s not only racing at this level but has out-qualified his teammate, Nico Hülkenberg. He’ll feel invincible and that the world is his; good for him.
Anthem tme!
It’s nice and sunny in Baku today – and also warm. Excitement is building as the cars gather on the grid.
Another potential factor: in the last four races on this circuit, we’ve seen either a safety car or a virtual safety car. I daresay the boy Nozza would accept that today.
We mustn’t forget that there are drivers who’ll be under team orders today. Piastri will have been told to do whatever he can in his McLaren to disrupt Verstappen, while Pérez will have to allow his teammate past, assuming George Russell is overtaken first.
Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, will be extremely relaxed about the overtaking situation. However he’ll also know that he’s now been on pole for this race four times on the spin and has yet to convert one to a race win.
The problem the drivers – and Norris in particular – have is that overtaking on the Baku City Circuit is not easy. He reckons strategy will be especially important, but also knows that, if he gets a clean run at any point, his car is fast enough to do damage.
The grid
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari)
Sergio Pérez (Red Bull)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Franco Colapinto (Williams)
Alex Albon (Williams)
Oliver Bearman (Haas)
Yuki Tsunoda (RB)
Nico Hülkengerg (Haas)
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Daniel Ricciardo (RB)
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Valtteri Bottas (Stake F1)
Zhou Guanyu (Stake F1)
Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Pit lane: Lews Hamilton (Mercedes)
Pit lane: Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
Preamble
Let’s begin with a question: six months ago at the start of March, when the season got going in Bahrain, who didn’t expect that, come mid-September, we’d be where we are?
The answer, of course, is “Absolutely everyone”. And as if to prove the point – that what felt like the world’s most predictable sport is now one of its least – an alert flashes up on my phone advising me that Lewis Hamilton will begin today’s race from the pit lane after taking a new engine. Oops!
But sadly for the almost-goat, that’s a subplot – at best. The main event is, of course, the race for the driver championship, and we’re still in total ignorance as to how that might end. Max Verstappen, champion in each of the last three seasons, is struggling – or his car is – so though he leads the standings by 62 points, with eight races to go he’s vulnerable … if one of those chasing him can find the necessary consistency to take advantage of his car’s deterioration.
Easier said than done: Lando Norris, the nearest challenger, had a nightmare in qualifying and beings from 15th on the grid. So, while Verstappen is only sixth, he now has a great chance to increase his lead at the top while ticking off another race. We shall see!
Lights out: 3pm local, 12pm BST
Updated
