Verstappen wins as Piastri crashes out on opening lap

Oscar Piastri damned his own performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as characterised by lapses in judgment and silly mistakes, but the world championship leader still emerged from the crash that left the front of the Australian's car in pieces with the bulk of his title advantage intact - and on such fortune might this season yet turn.

- Giles Richards

Max Verstappen won the race in Baku with another dominant run from pole to flag to match his victory at the last round in Monza and with it bring the very slenderest suggestion that he may still be in the championship battle.

However, in what was a largely unengaging procession, the drama revolved around Piastri, as he was found more wanting in the short time between just before the lights went out and his reaching the fifth corner than he has been all season.

After he had dropped to last from a botched start and then gone in too hot at turn five to lock up and spear his McLaren into the wall, the door appeared open for his title rival and teammate Lando Norris to take advantage. Yet the British driver, try as he might, could make no headway, starting in seventh and finishing in the same place.

Piastri will consider himself lucky that what might have been a huge swing in Norris's favour was averted. As it was, he dropped only six points and still enjoys a 25-point advantage with seven meetings remaining. The British driver was left to rue not doing better in qualifying, as a start near the front would have likely netted him a hatful.