OSCARRGH PIASTRI!

Title leader smashes into wall on first lap but Norris can't take advantage

- BY DANIEL MOXON

MAX VERSTAPPEN gave his faint Formula One title hopes a shot in the arm as McLaren's coronation was delayed.

They needed to outscore Ferrari by just nine points in Baku to seal the constructors’ title, but suffered an immediate blow when Oscar Piastri crashed out on the first lap.

Lando Norris finished where he started in seventh as he failed to capitalise on his teammates error.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were behind him as both Ferrari and McLaren took home six points each.

And so the champagne remains on ice until the Singapore Grand Prix, at the earliest, next month.