Baku Grand Prix Result: Verstappen Re-Emphasizes Title Contention
Baku, Azerbaijan – Max Verstappen reaffirmed his championship credentials with a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his second consecutive win following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The reigning champion’s performance boosted his momentum in the championship battle, closing the gap to leader Oscar Piastri, who crashed out on the opening lap. Following this race, Verstappen sits 69 points behind Piastri, yet he has clawed back 35 points over the last two events.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged Verstappen’s resurgence during a post-race interview. “Max and Red Bull will be regular contenders for the wins,” he stated, underscoring the impact of Red Bull’s recent performance upgrades. “They have made a genuine improvement… I think Max is a contender for the Drivers’ Championship.”
Stella highlighted McLaren’s struggles in Baku, noting that Lando Norris finished seventh due to the car’s insufficient pace. “We knew the track wasn’t ideally suited to our strengths,” Stella explained. “In the race, the car was not fast enough to overtake… so Lando spent all race in traffic.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, Stella emphasized the need for operational improvements, including quicker pit stops and enhanced reliability. “There’s some work to do… We need to look also at the operations,” he said. “It’s about taking all the information, reviewing, resetting, and coming back stronger.”
As the championship race tightens, Red Bull’s consistent pace and strategic development pose serious challenges for competitors. Teams will need to adapt quickly to maintain their positions as the season progresses.
