Verstappen wins Azerbaijan GP as each Ferraris retire | Autocar India

Max Verstappen led a 1-2 end for Purple Bull Racing within the Azerbaijan GP, forward of Sergio Perez, on a day that noticed each Ferrari automobiles retire. Verstappen, who has now scored his fifth win out of eight races thus far, has additionally additional stretched out his championship lead consequently.

George Russell capitalised on Ferrari’s misfortune to seize the ultimate podium spot for Mercedes.

• Verstappen wins, 20.823 secs forward of Perez
• Leclerc drops to 3rd in championship after one other DNF
• Russell full podium

Double retirement for Ferrari

Sergio Perez snatched the lead from pole sitter Charles Leclerc at the beginning. Nevertheless, Leclerc was ready regain the lead after pitting early below the Digital Security Automotive, trigged by his teammate Carlos Sainz stopping with a hydraulic failure.

However the same destiny awaited Leclerc and he was compelled to retire on Lap 20 due what seemed to be an influence unit situation – the second time this has occurred in three races. This delivers a giant blow to Leclerc’s championship bid. The Ferrari driver, who was main the championship earlier than the Spanish GP, has scored solely 12 factors within the final three races in comparison with Verstappen’s 65.

“We had been within the lead of the race, I used to be managing the tyres properly, we simply needed to handle the tyres and the race until the top, which I believe we had been undoubtedly in the very best place potential to do this. One other DNF, it hurts. We actually have to look into that for it to not occur once more,” a dejected Leclerc stated after the race.

Actually, all 4 automobiles that retired – together with Zhou Guanyu within the Alfa Romeo and Kevin Magnussen within the Haas – had been utilizing Ferrari energy. That is in stark distinction to the Italian squad’s promising begin to the season, and will very properly derail their championship hopes if not addressed quickly.

Verstappen leads Purple Bull 1-2

Amidst all of this drama, Verstappen had efficiently handed Perez on Lap 15, with Purple Bull issuing orders to not combat. Having inherited the lead as soon as Leclerc retired, Verstappen set about opening a niche and crossed the chequered flag 20.823 secs forward of Perez.

“I believe at present we had unbelievable tempo within the automobile, we may actually take care of the tyres and we may chip away at it, cross for the lead. Clearly additionally perhaps a tiny bit fortunate with the retirements, however nonetheless I believe our automobile was actually fast at present so I may have closed that hole, so then you’ve a race in your palms. However general, actually pleased with the stability of the automobile at present,” Verstappen stated.

George Russell was third, persevering with his streak of ending within the high 5 of each single race thus far this 12 months.

Lewis Hamilton fourth in Azerbaijan GP

Hamilton completed behind his teammate in fourth place. The Mercedes driver climbed from seventh on the grid and used his more energizing tyres to overhaul Pierre Gasly for the place on Lap 44.

Sebastian Vettel completed behind Gasly in sixth place, adopted by Fernando Alonso. They had been adopted by the McLaren pair of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris. Ricciardo benefitted by pitting throughout the Lap 33 Digital Security Automotive to complete forward of his teammate. Esteban Ocon scored the ultimate level with a 10^th place end.

2022 F1 drivers’ championship standings

With Leclerc struggling his second retirement in three races, he’s dropped to 3rd place general within the drivers’ championship, behind Sergio Perez. Verstappen has stretched his result in 21 factors from Perez and 116 factors from Leclerc.

Up subsequent is the Canadian GP, which returns to the F1 calendar after three years. The race will happen on June 19.

2022 Azerbaijan GP outcomes