2021 F1: Perez takes surprise win at action-packed Azerbaijan GP

Sergio Perez won the Azerbaijan GP, in a race that saw both the main 2021 F1 title contenders – Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton – run into trouble. Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel and AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly completed the podium, making for top three result that few could have predicted heading into the race.

• Perez wins, 1.385 secs ahead of Vettel
• Verstappen crashes out of lead after tyre failure
• Hamilton fails to score points after lock-up at re-start

Verstappen, Stroll suffer tyre failures

Baku’s always known for delivering thrilling races and it did so this time too, with several drivers leading the race at different points. A slow pit stop for Hamilton, as he waited for Gasly who was entering the pitlane, helped both Red Bull drivers jump ahead of him, with Verstappen taking the lead.

Just when it seemed like there was a steady pecking order forming out at front, Verstappen crashed out of the lead with just five laps to go. The Dutchman suffered a left-rear tyre failure that sent him into the wall at nearly 320kph.  Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll suffered a similar tyre failure earlier in the race.

With driver safety now a concern, the FIA decided to red flag the race, allowing drivers to switch to fresh tyres for the closing laps. This set the stage for what would become a two-lap sprint for the win.

Perez secures his first win for Red Bull as Hamilton falters

With his championship rival out of contention, this was a pivotal moment for Hamilton to score some valuable points and turn the championship tide into his favour. But it wasn’t going to be an easy feat; Perez ahead of him has been waiting for a chance to affirm Red Bull’s faith in him. Meanwhile, Vettel – who thanks to some great strategy and some controlled overtaking was up to 3^rd – was the only one of the front runners starting on fresh soft tyres.

Unfortunately for Hamilton, he faltered under pressure, locking up heavily and going wide into the Turn 1 run-off. He finished all the way down in 15^th, giving Perez a clear run to secure his second-ever race win (the first one coming at last year’s Sakhir GP).

Perez came close to retiring himself, with Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner revealing that he was running with a hydraulic issue. “It would have been incredible to get that one-two for the team, but at the end, it is a fantastic day for us. We were close to retire the car but luckily we managed to finish the race and it was really quite difficult all the way till the end,” said Perez.

Aston Martin scores first F1 podium

Vettel battled his way from 11^th to 2^nd, handing Aston Martin its first-ever podium finish in F1. Behind him, Gasly fended off several attempts from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to hold on to 3^rd place.

Lando Norris had to switch to recovery mode after a poor start saw him drop down to 11^th. He managed to undercut his rivals to cross the chequered flag in 5^th place, ahead of Alpine’s Fernando Alonso and AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda.

Carlos Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen completed the top 10.

2021 F1 drivers’ championship standings

Hamilton will be kicking himself for the lost opportunity. With neither him, nor Verstappen scoring any points, Verstappen holds on to the championship lead. But it’s a tight battle between the two, with just four points separating them.

Perez’ win has handed Red Bull Racing a significant edge in the constructors’ standings, and the team is now 26 points ahead of Mercedes.

Next up for F1 is the French GP from June 18-20.

2021 Azerbaijan GP results

Also see:

2021 F1: Verstappen wins Monaco GP with Leclerc unable to start