Red Bull’s Max Verstappen looking forward to Singapore GP ‘challenge’ after Azerbaijan win
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Red Bull's Max Verstappen competes during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit.
PHOTO: AFP
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BAKU – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is already looking forward to the Oct 5 Singapore Grand Prix after clinching victory in the Azerbaijan race on Sept 21.
The Dutchman pulled off a pole-to-flag victory after championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed out on the opening lap of the twisting street circuit.
Piastri’s McLaren teammate and closest rival Lando Norris was unable to capitalise fully, finishing only seventh and reducing the gap at the top of the standings by six points to 25, with seven races left.
Mercedes’ George Russell, who has been struggling with sickness all weekend, produced a fine drive to climb from fifth to second, while Carlos Sainz picked up his first podium for Williams.
“This weekend has been incredible for us... The car was working really well on both compounds. We had clean air all the time, so you could look after your tyres and it was pretty straightforward,” said Verstappen, 27.
“It’s never easy around here – very windy today, so the car was moving around a lot. I’m incredibly happy with this performance. It’s difficult to say at the moment (whether we can continue this pace).
“Singapore is a challenge again with the high downforce.”
The four-time Formula One champion has been the class act of the weekend. He made a clean getaway, while others bumped and brushed around him, and eased his way to a 67th Grand Prix win.
It was his fourth win of the season and came on the heels of victory in Monza a fortnight ago.
“Really happy to be back on the podium. It has been a bit of a rough weekend for me personally, but the car was great,” said Russell, 27, of finishing second.
“I was pretty glad when I saw the chequered flag, to be honest. Fortunately I felt much better today than I felt on Friday and Saturday. Looking forward to a bit of rest now but just happy with the result.”
Meanwhile, it was a poor weekend for McLaren, who began the race seeking to clinch a second consecutive constructors’ championship, needing to outscore Ferrari by nine points.
Piastri completed a nightmare weekend by slamming into the barriers on the opening lap after being stranded on the grid following a false start.
He fell to last and then began his chase, but lost control at Turn 5, locked up at Turn 6 and hit the wall. He was unhurt. That brought to an end a 34-race scoring streak for the 24-year-old Australian.
Norris started in seventh but dropped a place on the opening lap. After climbing into the top six, a messy pit stop lost him a couple of places which could prove costly in the race for the title.
Sainz was thrilled with third place. “I cannot describe how happy I am and how good this feels. It tastes even better than my first ever podium,” said the 31-year-old Spaniard.
“We have been fighting hard all year and we proved when we had the speed – we had it all year – and everything comes together, we can do some amazing things together.
“We nailed the race, not one mistake... I’m extremely proud of everyone at Williams for pushing through a very difficult year. We are on the rise and in the right direction.” AFP
