Max Verstappen wins the Azerbaijan Grand Prix! Red Bull celebrates a double victory while Ferrari experiences the next disaster. Severe setback in the World Cup for Charles Leclerc. Sebastian Vettel is strong in Baku, Mick Schumacher is defeated.
Final standings (top ten):
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)3. George Russell (Mercedes)4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)5. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri)6. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)7. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)8. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)9. Lando Norris (McLaren)10. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)…14. Mick Schumacher (Haas)Out: Charles Leclers, Carlos Sainz, Guanyu Zhou, Lance Stroll, Kevin Magnussen
The most important thing in brief: Defending champion Max Verstappen has extended his world championship lead in Formula 1 with a win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Dutchman beat his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez from Mexico in Baku on Sunday.
Third was the Brit George Russell in the Mercedes. Charles Leclerc was unable to use his pole position and retired after a technical defect in his Ferrari, as did stable rival Carlos Sainz. The Monegasse Leclerc fell back to third place in the overall standings with 116 points and is now behind Verstappen (150) and Perez (129).
Former world champion Sebastian Vettel secured his best result of the season to date with a strong sixth place in the Aston Martin. Mick Schumacher only finished 14th in the Haas racing car.
Welcome to the live ticker from FOCUS Online. After the rather chaotic Monaco guest appearance, Formula 1 is followed by the next city race. In Baku, too, the pilots rush through urban canyons, and even the smallest mistake can result in an accident. Red Bull and Ferrari are likely to be at the top again.
Most recently in Monte Carlo, Ferrari seemed to have the slightly faster car, but gave away the possible victory due to strategic mistakes. The Scuderia are in dire need of a turnaround after Charles Leclerc lost a lot of ground in the title fight with his engine failure in Barcelona and a frustrating fourth place in Monaco.
But Max Verstappen is also thirsty for redemption, as last year in Azerbaijan a puncture stopped him on the way to victory shortly before the finish. “We still have a score to settle here,” said the World Cup leader from Red Bull.
After his Monaco triumph, the Mexican comes to the Caspian Sea with a good boost. As a reward for his improvement in form, Pérez received a new contract until the end of 2024. In the World Cup he is only six points behind Leclerc and 15 behind Verstappen.
The 32-year-old has “significantly reduced the performance gap to the world champion”, praised Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. If things continue like this, Pérez could even make a three-way battle out of the World Cup – and cause headaches for the Red Bull team, which is actually tailored to Verstappen. Last year, Pérez clinched his first win in the Red Bull in Baku.
Torn in two, Schumacher’s Haas lay in front of Monte Carlo’s port. The violent accident of the 23-year-old recently fueled doubts that the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher has what it takes to be a top performer. After all: The young star remained without major injuries. “I’m okay, thanks for the lovely messages,” he wrote to his fan base via Instagram.
He has long been fully focused on the next race. Haas team boss Günther Steiner, however, already warned before leaving for Baku: For the time being, the clammy racing team can no longer afford any more scrap.
After Manchester United and Chelsea flirted with signing RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku, the Frenchman is apparently certain of his future. He wants to stay with the Saxons and extend it.
Jürgen Klopp is said to have given Sadio Mané, who was courted by FC Bayern, permission to change. It must have been a difficult decision for the coach – he was always very enthusiastic about the striker.
