Perez wins in Baku, Verstappen, Hamilton implode

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP):

Max Verstappen was cruising towarda an easy second consecutive victory until an unexpected tyre failure turned the Azerbaijan Grand Prix into a two-lap shoot-out and a shock victory for Sergio Pérez.

The finish yesterday just might have been an unintentional preview of the changes Formula One (F1) plans to experiment with later this season in an effort to add excitement to the on-track product.

Championship leader Verstappen crashed out of the lead with four laps remaining to bring out a red flag that set up the unconventional shoot-out from a standing start. Lewis Hamilton went off course trying to pass Pérez for the lead, marking the first time since 2016 that the top two in the championship standings failed to score point.

That made for an unfamiliar podium as Pérez, Sebastian Vettel and Pierre Gasly all finished in the top three for the first time this year.

Verstappen had no warning his tyre was about to fail as he slammed into the wall. The Dutchman climbed from his car, inspected the tyre and kicked it in anger before stomping off in disgust over the race-changing failure.

“Sometimes you can hate this sport,” Verstappen said after the race.

TYRE CONCERNS

Red Bull was clearly concerned about the Pirelli tyres after a similar accident ended Lance Stroll’s race earlier, and under red flag the team asked F1 that the cars be allowed to change tyres before the two-lap sprint to the finish.

F1 had previously announced it would experiment with half-hour sprint races in places of qualifying later this season. Baku was an unexpected preview of an even shorter, more explosive format.

Liberty Media, an American company, is in its fifth season running F1 after buying the commercial rights in 2017. The US ownership has brought a focus on a younger audience on social media and in a deal with Netflix.

“The Americans took over, so I wasn’t really surprised that we go first with the entertainment,” Gasly said of the two-lap shoot-out that decided the race. “I was quite happy. It always brings a bit more excitement. It creates some sort of adrenaline inside you and I knew there will be some opportunities, because you start only for two laps.

“Everybody is a bit like lions out of the cage, and everybody goes for everything and try to make as many positions as they can in a very short time. It was very intense. I really enjoyed it. If anything, hopefully in the future they’ll do the same.”

Pérez was the leader on the restart, but Hamilton shot past him in his attempt to win the race and reclaim the points lead from Verstappen. But he did not brake in the first corner and his Mercedes slid off track. Hamilton dropped to 15th, snapping a streak of 54 consecutive races of earning a points position finish.

Hamilton said he accidentally flicked a switch which “basically switches the brakes off and I just went straight”.

Four-time champion Vettel took second to give Aston Martin their first-ever F1 podium in an an impressive drive after qualifying 11th. It was Vettel’s highest finish since 2019. Gasly was third for AlphaTauri.

1. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) 25

2. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) 18

3. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) 15

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 12

5. Lando Norris (McLaren) 10

6. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) 8

7. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) 6

8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 4

9. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 2

10. Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo) 1

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 105

2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 101

3. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) 69

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 66

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 52

6. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 47

7. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 42

8. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) 31

9. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) 28

10. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 26

1. Red Bull 174

2. Mercedes 148

3. Ferrari 94

4. McLaren 92

5. AlphaTauri 39

6. Aston Martin 37

7. Alpine 25

8. Alfa Romeo 2

9. Haas 0

10. Williams 0